Elderberries are large deciduous shrubs native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa. They are grown for their beautiful foliage, large, musky-scented flowers and showy clusters of fruits. Wildlife magnets, their inflorescences are often visited by butterflies and fruits are favored by birds.
Its pinnate (feathery) leaves are divided into many elliptic leaflets, giving a tropical appearance. The leaves emit a somewhat unpleasant odor when crushed. In late spring and summer, flat-topped umbels of creamy flowers appear followed in autumn by large clusters of glossy black berries.
Not fussy about soils, elderberries like a sunny spot and moderate moisture. For best fruiting, plant two or more cultivars in the shrub border or as a screen or backdrop. (source: learn2grow.com)
Genus - Sambucus
Species - Nigra
Common name - European Elderberry
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 7
Height - 20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m
Spread - 20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m
Plant type - Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, Loam, Well Drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
Germination rate - 89%
Bloom season - Late Spring, Early Summer
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Soak in hot tap water for 24 hours 2. Cold/moist stratify for 60 days. Seeds can be stratified in dampened peat or sand, in a plastic box or bag at 4°C or 5°C in a refrigerator. The seeds should not be frozen or in a wet medium. 3. After the stratification sow seed 1/4" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed. Other: if water treatment does not allow seed to imbibe, sulfuric acid treatment is required. can be fall sown without stratification. |