BLACK ELDERBERRY WAS USED IN MEDIEVAL TIMES TO DETER WITCHES! THE BLACK ELDERBERRY IS HAPPY ANYWHERE AS LONG AS IT’S SUNNY! EDIBLE FLOWERS AND BERRIES, MAKE WINE AND LIQUORS, THE LEAVES ARE AN INSECT REPELLANT!

Sambucus nigra is a species complex of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae native to most of Europe and North America. Common names include elder, elderberry, black elder, European elder, European elderberry, and European black elderberry.

It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations. The plant is a very common feature of hedgerows and scrubland in Britain and northern Europe, but also is widely grown as an ornamental shrub or small tree.

Both the flowers and the berries have a long tradition of culinary use, primarily for cordial and wine. The Latin specific epithet nigra means “black” and refers to the deeply dark colour of the berries.

In medieval England, Black Elderberry plant (Sambucus nigra) was planted near a house to deter witches. Traditional use of the berries in Europe in jams, jellies and wines. Flowers and berries used as a tea. Leaves are an insect repellent and used as a spray for aphids and caterpillars.

Also added to compost. All parts of this tree have medicinal properties. Yields green, violet and black dyes. Note: Immature uncooked berries are toxic. Black Elderberry plant is native to UK and Europe and is adaptable to any type of moist soil. Prefers shaded, protected position. Frost resistant but drought tender. Perennial, deciduous, spreading tree, growing to 10m x 3.0m.

SEEDS SENT CAN BE DRIED BUT STILL IN THE FRUIT. BLACK, LARGE, EASY TO SEE AND HANDLE.

Grow Notes
Plant in full sun in moist, well-draining soils.

Sow
If planting directly sow in Autumn and the seedlings will come up in Spring after natural stratification has occurred.

If raising seedlings inside, then expose seeds to warm conditions of around 20°C for 3 months. Then place into the fridge for another 3 months. Plant into seed raising mix planting at 6mm depth and keep soil moist but never wet.

Germination
Mostly once soil temperature has reached 20°C for 3-4 weeks they will sprout, however seeds can still germinate up to 2 years later so don’t throw your pots out!

Maturity
2-3 years after germination.

Picture by Agnieszka Kwiecie? (Nova), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons