Sambucus nigra ‘Elderberry’ – 17cm freshly potted plant
Elderberry is a vigorous, deciduous shrub which can reach a few metres in height. The foliage is soft, fern-like which is a lovely green throughout the warmer seasons before turning yellow and dropping for Winter. They are best grown in humus-rich, well-draining soil in all day sun. In Spring large, flattened-heads of cream-cloured, sweetly fragrant flowers appear. In late Summer, heavy bunches of shiny black fruits form. Elderberry fruits MUST NOT BE EATEN WHEN RAW. Uncooked berries are extremely toxic as the plant contains cyanide inducing glycosides.The flowers and cooked berries can be used in an array of cooking. Fruits need to be properly cooked and can be made into jams, jellies, sauces and syrups. The flowers can be soaked in water to make a refreshing drink, flowers can be dried and made into a herbal tea. Another fun way to use the flowers is to coat them in a batter and fry them to make fritters. Best used in general landscaping, food gardens, as a filler plant or as a hedging solution.
Position: Full sun
Height: 3-4m
Width: 3m
Harvest: December
Garden Uses:
Feature shrub
Food Garden
Decorative shrub
General Landscaping