Elderberry

Family. Viburnaceae.

Where does grow? North America.

Description. Highly ornamental perennial shrubs that produce tasty berries in late summer and early autumn. Elderberry is not a houseplant, but if you have free space, you can keep it indoors. It is a large multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with white, red or bluish-black clusters of small berries that are used in winemaking, for making juices, jellies and jams. The fruits are bitter in taste, so they require heat treatment. The leaves are opposite, pinnately dissected, turn yellow and fall off in autumn. The inflorescences are umbrellas or panicles with a diameter of 12-15 cm, consisting of many small creamy-white fragrant buds that bloom in early summer. The fruits are smooth spherical berries up to 1.5 cm in diameter, ripen in early August - late September and remain on the bush until late autumn; many birds feed on them.

There are decorative foliage species with a wide variety of foliage colors, for example, blue-black, while the flowers have a pink color, which contrasts well with the leaves.

Height. 4 - 8 m.

Planting and care

How to grow 

Elderberry bushes are pruned each year in late winter or early spring to create a compact shape. Remove broken or damaged branches, cutting them as close to the base as possible.

Reproduction 

Can be propagated by seeds, division of large bushes and rooting of cuttings. Young specimens grow very quickly, both seedlings and saplings.

Diseases and pests 

Elderberries need good drainage as they are susceptible to root rot. The genus is vulnerable to a number of diseases. These include leaf spot and powdery mildew.

The most common pests are aphids, spider mites and thrips. Regular spraying helps prevent pest infestations. When grown outdoors, shoots and leaves can be attacked by elder fly and moth.

Transplant 

Transplantation is carried out every year, as the bushes grow and require larger containers. The root system is shallow and can be easily damaged - do the transshipment, keeping the root ball intact.

When blooms

Early summer. 

Temperature 

In spring and summer, when the shrub is actively developing and blooming, normal room temperature is suitable for its maintenance.

Lighting

Prefers bright light with some direct sunlight daily. 

Soil

Rich in organic matter, well-drained loamy soil, rich in humus, moist. Grows well in a pH of 5.5 to 7.5, but prefers a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

Fertilizer

In late winter or early spring, use a slow-release fertilizer. 

Spraying

No special requirements.

Watering

Does not tolerate drought well. Elderberry needs constant moisture, as it has a shallow root system.  

Note

Elderberrys contain high amounts of antioxidants, vitamin C and potassium, which help the immune system fight colds and flu. 

Varieties:

Elderberry herbaceous or stinking - Sambucus ebulus

A perennial herbaceous plant with a large underground rhizome and erect, powerful shoots branched at the base, reaching a height of 1 - 2 m. The leaves are alternate, complex, and consist of several pairs of oppositely located matte, green, narrow-lanceolate segments. Leaf veins on the surface of the plates are often highlighted in a lighter shade. When damaged, the stems and leaves of the plant emit an unpleasant odor. During the flowering period, large corymbose inflorescences consisting of numerous white or pink flowers appear at the tops of the shoots. 

Sambucus canadensis

Deciduous shrub 3 - 6 m high with abundantly branched stems and large, complex leaves, consisting of light green, narrow segments located in opposite pairs. In the warm season, the plant decorates itself with small apical inflorescences of white or pinkish flowers with a lemon scent. The small, round, black berries formed after flowering are considered edible and are often used to make jam. 

Common elderberry or racemose elderberry - Sambucus racemosa

A fairly large deciduous shrub with a height of 120 to 350 cm with branched thin shoots. The leaves are complex, pinnate, arranged oppositely, and consist of emerald green narrow segments with a finely toothed edge. Young leaves often have a burgundy tint. The flowers are greenish-white, collected in large apical inflorescences, and emit a pleasant aroma. After pollination, bright red clusters of small berries appear. 

Siberian elderberry - Sambucus sibirica

Dense shrubs 2 - 4 m high with abundantly branching thin stems and large, complex leaves. The leaf segments are bright green, slightly bent along the central vein, glossy, 5 - 14 cm long. The edges of the leaf blades are covered with small teeth. The terminal inflorescences consist of many white or cream flowers, which over time turn into bright red berries.

Elderberry or black elder - Sambucus nigra

A large dense shrub with branching shoots covered with light brown bark. The leaves are green, compound, arranged oppositely on thin, long petioles. The leaf segments are narrow, lanceolate, with a finely serrated edge. Inflorescences - umbrellas decorate plants in the summer months and consist of many small cream or white flowers. The berries are small, glossy, black. There is an attractive decorative foliage variation of this plant with dark purple leaves and delicate pink inflorescences. 

Sambucus nigra "Laciniata"

A delicate, lacy-like shrub with compound leaves consisting of several narrow, coarsely toothed segments. The flowers are white or cream, collected in apical umbels. 

Yellow-leaved elderberry - Sambucus nigra "Aurea"

A spectacular decorative deciduous shrub with branched shoots from 150 to 350 cm in height. The main distinguishing feature of the variety is its compound leaves, consisting of yellowish, narrow, finely serrated segments. The flowers are small, white, with a lemon scent. 

Sambucus sieboldiana

Abundantly flowering dense shrub up to 4 m high, has oppositely arranged, complex leaves on long petioles. Leaf segments are bright green, narrowly lanceolate, finely serrated. Young leaves often have a bronze tint, while the leaf blades may have a lighter tone. The terminal inflorescences consist of many white, cream or greenish flowers. The berries are round, glossy, red.