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Respect Your Elders: Growing an Elderberry Plant

Max Day
Share to PinterestRespect Your Elders: Growing an Elderberry Plant
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When you think of elderberries, your first thought may be of your grandmother's home remedies that were sure to chase off any cold. While it's true that these deep purple clusters have their share of health benefits, they're good for much more than that. Frilly white flowers lend a cheery feel to the summer landscape, and the nearly-black berries can be used as a natural dye — not to mention in any number of delicious jams and teas. Couple that with their resilience and abundant growth, and it's easy to see why the elderberry is making such a comeback.

01

Planting your elderberry

Share to PinterestAn acidic pH and thoroughly aerated root system are all your elderberry plant needs to thrive.
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You've likely seen elderberries growing naturally along banks or by fence posts, as they thrive very naturally with little cultivation. They're certainly accustomed to an outdoor lifestyle, so it's best to plant them where they'll have room to flourish. Shallow soil with an acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.6 will suit your elderberry plant best, and it will tolerate any soil texture well. The one thing your elderberry plant does need is a well-aerated root system to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to root rot.

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02

Size requirements for the elderberry plant

Share to PinterestAt 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide, elderberries need sufficient space to thrive.
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At their largest, elderberry plants can grow up to 12 feet high and 6 feet across, so they definitely prefer their share of space. Despite that, getting the maximum fruit yield possible still requires pollination, so your elderberry does need some company — albeit from a healthy distance. As a compromise, keep your elderberry plants within 60 feet of one another. That way, they'll be close enough for cross-pollination but will still have room to grow.

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03

Sunlight requirements

Share to PinterestThe hardy elderberry can survive in cooler climes, and thrives most in full sun.
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The elderberry's hardiness is one of its most desirable traits amongst gardeners yet to taste its fruit. Capable of growing in the colder climates of the northern midwest, the elderberry usually does best in hardiness zones 4 and under, and while it can tolerate partial shade, it prefers full sun when it can get it.

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04

Watering requirements

Share to PinterestAt an ideal moisture intake of one inch per week, elderberries prefer a moist environment—as long as they have good drainage.
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With a thirst as great as its craving for light, the elderberry plant is difficult to overwater. Its preference for moist environments is the reason you'll find it naturally growing on banks or in ditches, but if you're growing it in your garden, an inch of water per week is a good amount to give. With all that water just remember: the soil must have good drainage, or root rot may occur.

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05

Pests that can harm the elderberry plant

Share to PinterestAside from weeds and birds, the resilient elderberry is not plagued by any special pests.
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Their hardy nature enables the elderberry plant to resist attack from many hungry prey. The only exception is that its shallow root system can be crowded out by common weeds seeking the same space, but this can easily be resolved by regular weeding — though hungry birds will make a bid for those berries if you don't harvest them first.

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06

Potential diseases

Share to PinterestRoot rot, cankers, and powdery mildew are among the elderberry's common diseases, but all are easily remedied with pruning and proper drainage.
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Elderberry is susceptible to a few diseases. Cankers may infect its leaves and branches, while leaf spot and powdery mildew can harm its delicate berries. Root rot is the other major threat, but only if the surrounding soil has poor drainage. Other minor diseases include thread blight and verticillium wilt, but most can be treated simply by pruning back the affected areas.

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07

Special care

Share to PinterestThough not requiring any rare nutrients, the elderberry does best with ammonium nitrate or 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer.
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The elderberry is as low-maintenance as it is resilient, requiring no rare or special nutrients. If you'd like to give your elder some extra nourishment, standard ammonium nitrate or fertilizer with a 10-10-10 NPK ratio will be the ideal supplement to coax this hardy shrub to produce its most abundant berry yield. Apply 1/8 of a pound of ammonium nitrate to each shrub for every year of its age, or 1/4 of a pound of 10-10-10 per year, and it will reward you with enough plump, juicy clusters that you'll be more than satisfied.

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08

Propagating your elderberry plant

Share to PinterestWhile hardwood cuttings can be used, softwood is best for elderberry propagation.
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There are three cuttings from which you can propagate an elderberry plant: softwood, hardwood, and hardwood with sprouts. Softwood propagation is the most common and is quite simple. Trim off a few tender shoots of fresh growth sometime in the early summer months and place in a mason jar of water for about 12 hours, then plant and cultivate your new baby elder until it blooms to maturity.

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09

Harvesting your elderberry

Share to PinterestShear off the abundant cluster of berries once the majority have reached a deep purple color, or the birds will get them first.
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In keeping with its simplicity, harvesting elderberries amounts to little more than clipping their clusters off the shrub. Each cluster contains a high concentration of berries, so instead of waiting for all of them to be fully ripe, it's better to pick them once the majority have turned a deep purple-black, even if there are a few stragglers. After all, the birds will not be so patient!

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10

Preparation tips

Share to PinterestFrom teas and tinctures to syrups and jams, elderberry products heal the body and tickle the taste buds at the same time.
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Elderberries have a unique tartness and mouthfeel that make for a delicious variety of jams, syrups, teas, and even wine. These clusters have long been used for medicinal purposes too, packed as they are with vitamin C and antioxidants. Because of this, elderberries are popular in many herbal tinctures and supplements. Always cook them before eating, though, as they are slightly toxic if consumed raw and may result in nausea.

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