In my limited experience Elderberry grows pretty much anywhere. Sure more sun is better but try where ever you want. I am growing Wyldewood and Bob Gordon. After 1 year from bare root planting Wyldwood is 8' tall while Bob Gordon planted from a plug is 4' tall. Be aware that they can get tall and then fall down then grow back up so my 4 plants which were planted in a circle now take up a space of 20'x20'. In a yard I find they are not the prettiest of plants. I am planning on taking cuttings and planting them along the north side of forested public parks, soccer fields, ect (where they will get the southern sun). There they will grow into bushes and I can simply harvest them once they bear fruit as most people will not bother with unknown berries growing ''wild''. Consider planting black currants (Titania). I like the syrup and compot even better than elderberry. Titania has a very upright growth when supported and will give 5+ lbs per plant.

Interesting idea. We actually have a public park adjacent to the east side of our property, but it is so thickly wooded that I'm not sure there's anywhere I could plant elderberry that would get any sun at all. I was actually thinking of trying to plant ramps along the border, as they apparently grow well in forested areas.

I don't have a huge yard so these are going to have to stay somewhat contained. Perhaps I'll try planting them IN containers in the area I'd like to have them, and see if they do well, then transplant to the ground if they do.

My Bob Gordons are about 4 or 5 feet tall also. I also have some wild ones I planted that grew to 12 feet right next to the Bob Gordons. I harvest a lot of elderberries from a roadside lined with trees. The road runs east and west and the trees on the south side of the road have the elderberry bushes right in front of them. So, they seem to do well on the edge. Here's a picture of my tall elderberries.