Elderberries are all the rage these days and for good reason. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra canadensis) are great for wildlife, pollinators, native to North America, and produce a berry that is used medicinally (disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this article is not medical advice). In this article we go over all the pros and a few cons of growing your own elderberries.
Why Grow Elderberries
People grow elderberries for so many reasons. Beauty, wildlife, and medicine are all reasons I’ve heard from customers who chose to grow their own elderberry plants. Elderberries produce wonderful flowers each spring. Their large clusters of tiny pale yellow-white flowers are a welcome sight. Chefs search for elderberry flowers to make fritters (they usually prefer European varieties as they are more fragrant but American varieties will also work).
Pollinators are attracted to elderberries for their large clusters of flowers. I’ve spotted honeybees, bumblebees and other critters exploring elderberries in bloom. Butterflies are a common sight around elderberries as well. Beekeepers market elder honey as a gourmet honey that customers rave about.
Elderberry are also a welcome site for wildlife. I have seen everything from song birds, deer, grouse, and wild turkeys coming by to taste a berry or two. Birds like quail and pheasants make nests in elderberry bushes.
Elderberry syrup is used for colds and coughs over the winter. My wife makes a patch of elderberry syrup whenever one of us starts to feel a winter sickness coming on (again this is not medical advice). Loaded with vitamins elderberry syrup is known to keep colds and coughs at bay or shorten their duration. Homemade elderberry wine used to be a staple in my grandmas house. People are now rediscovering elderberry wine as I see pictures all over the internet! Jams, jellies, and juices can all be made from elderberries as well. If that’s not enough, elderberries typically grow trouble free!
How to Grow Elderberries
Another great thing about elderberries is that they grow with little care. Once they have been established they seem to be bulletproof. Pests and diseases rarely bother our plants in the Northeast. Wildlife will occasionally take a nimble (deer), if truly bothersome fencing can be considered. Elderberries do well in a wide variety of conditions. Full sun to partial shade, well drained soil to wet feet, elderberry plants can survive. Given the choice elderberries do best in full sun to partial shade in well drained slightly acid soils. Elderberries are survivors. They can weather drought, heat, humidity, too much water, and cold conditions.
Elderberries can adapt to marginal land where little else will grow. They spread by root suckers and can expand over the years. Don’t plant elderberries too close to foundations, fencing, and other structures as elderberries will send out runners attempting to multiply. They can be controlled from spreading by removing any unwanted root suckers.
Elderberries grow up to 12-15 feet tall and spread nearly as wide at maturity. They can live in much of the country as they are hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Elderberries are quick to produce. Berries are produced on this years wood, meaning plants can produce berries young, often at 1-2 years old.
What Varieties to Grow
York and Adams are my two favorite elderberry varieties. I have grown them both for nearly 10 years and routinely get large crops of berries. Typical harvests from mature plants can be as much as 10-15 pounds per plant per year.
York and Adams are great varieties for new and seasoned elderberry growers alike. Novices like them because of their pest and disease resistance make them a ease to grow. New growers can get discouraged by failures, Adams and York can make an intimidating experience go smoothly. Seasoned growers like them because of their high berry production and great return.
Both York and Adams, like other elderberries are high in vitamin C, A, potassium, calcium, antioxidants, and other vitamins.
York and Adams are hardy plants selected and improved from wild native elderberries. Adams produces a medium sized berry that out produces most other elderberry varieties. York produces one of the largest berry among American cultivars. York and Adams are great pollinators for each other. Their bloom time happens concurrently but they ripen a few weeks apart thus extending the harvest season.
Elderberry Cons
We talked about why elderberries are so great, now let’s discuss some negatives. Elderberries can spread. Some people, like myself, consider this a good thing, but if you have a small yard you might want to reconsider. Elderberries can be managed to stay in one location. It will take some work. I have several plants I don’t want to spread and I routinely mow or weed whack around their edges. Taking down new shoots early will minimizing any unwanted encroachment.
Bark, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries, if eaten can cause issues. Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and even death are alleged results. Again I am not a doctor. I only consume cooked berries and have never had a problem. Consult your physician is you are unsure.
Elderberry, like any fruit or berry bush, requires work. And even with the best management things do go wrong. Elderberries are typically pest and disease resistant but that doesn’t mean you will never have pest problems. Just a few years ago I had a large tent caterpillar infestation on one of my elderberry bushes.
Luckily tent caterpillars are easy to get rid but even mostly trouble free plants need to be monitored. If you aren’t used to tending to berry bushes or fruit trees an elderberry is a great plant to start with.
There you have it, elderberries in a nutshell. If you have the space and a little bit a time and effort growing elderberry plants can be a worthwhile endeavor for you and your family. I know it has been for mine! If you are looking to grow your own elderberry plants check out our store where you can find young healthy plants ready to thrive in your yard!