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What Are the Best Tips for Growing Elderberries?

Christina Edwards
Christina Edwards

Elderberry trees, or elderberry bushes, can typically tolerate a variety of growing conditions, but they usually prefer moist, fertile soil. Planting more than one bush is usually recommended in order for them to cross-pollinate. Since these bushes tend to grow quickly, pruning is also usually necessary. When growing elderberries for consumption, the small fruit should be protected from any animals that may try to eat it, particularly birds.

Many people will often find that growing elderberries is somewhat easy. These bushes will usually grow in a number of types of soil and climates. The ideal soil for these bushes will be well-drained, but also moist. Elderberries typically do not tolerate dry conditions well.

Growing elderberries also typically requires fertile soil. Mixing in an organic fertilizer into the soil around the bushes is usually recommended. Composted manure will usually work well for this.

Elderberries can be eaten straight from the bush but are more popular when made into a wine, jam or juice.
Elderberries can be eaten straight from the bush but are more popular when made into a wine, jam or juice.

Experts also recommend planting more than one elderberry bush when growing elderberries. Although many varieties of elderberries can self-pollinate to some extent, more fruit will result from cross-pollination. For best results, these bushes should be planted 10 to 60 feet (3.1 to 18.3 meters) apart. Bees and other insects can then transfer pollen from one plant to the other as they collect nectar from the flowers.

Elderberries are believed to have medicinal properties.
Elderberries are believed to have medicinal properties.

Regular pruning may also be necessary when growing elderberries. These bushes are typically very fast growing, and they can grow out of control, if left alone. It is usually best to prune these bushes when they are dormant, usually in the late winter or early spring. Any old or unhealthy growth should be snipped off. These bushes can also be pruned to help them maintain a neater appearance.

Elderberries are the fruit of the elderberry bush. These small berries grow in clusters, and they are usually very dark purple in color. Depending on the variety of elderberry bush, the berries are usually ready to harvest in the late summer or fall.

Birds will often eat the elderberries as they ripen. To protect these berries, deterrents should be placed around the bushes. Deterrents that are moving or noisy usually work best.

Elderberry trees, or elderberry bushes, can typically tolerate a variety of growing conditions, but they usually prefer moist, fertile soil.
Elderberry trees, or elderberry bushes, can typically tolerate a variety of growing conditions, but they usually prefer moist, fertile soil.

There are many uses of elderberry plants, and both the flowers and leaves can be used. While the berries can be eaten right from the bush, they typically have a somewhat unpleasant taste. They can, however, be used to make tasty juice, wine, and jam. Elderberry flowers can be used to make wine or tea, and they can also be battered and deep fried to make elderberry fritters.

Discussion Comments

Heavanet

@spotiche5- You could always grow your elderberry bushes from seeds. Since these plants grow wild in country areas, finding some stray seeds by collecting some elderberries shouldn't be a problem.

Rundocuri

@spotiche5- You should try asking the sales staff at the nurseries in your area if elderberry bushes can be ordered. Just because the nurseries don't keep them in stock doesn't mean that the staff can't order them for customers who request them.

If you find that you can't order elderberry bushes from local nurseries, you should do an online search. There are a lot of companies that specialize in hard-to-find plants, and they are able to ship them safely to customers.

Spotiche5

I'm thinking about planting some elderberry bushes because I like to make elderberry jam. I have not been able to find elderberry bushes in the nurseries in my area, so I'm wondering where to buy them.

Ocelot60

My family grew elderberry bushes on our farm when I was a kid, and my father planted them around our barn. Not only did growing against the building provide support for tall bushes, but it also helped to protect them from birds that ate the berries.

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    • Elderberries can be eaten straight from the bush but are more popular when made into a wine, jam or juice.
      By: compuinfoto
      Elderberries can be eaten straight from the bush but are more popular when made into a wine, jam or juice.
    • Elderberries are believed to have medicinal properties.
      By: dabjola
      Elderberries are believed to have medicinal properties.
    • Elderberry trees, or elderberry bushes, can typically tolerate a variety of growing conditions, but they usually prefer moist, fertile soil.
      By: Petersen
      Elderberry trees, or elderberry bushes, can typically tolerate a variety of growing conditions, but they usually prefer moist, fertile soil.