divaqs's Blog

Elderberries
May 30, 2007 | 10:25 AM PST
Tags: Elderberries , Sambucus , Guincho Purple elderberry , Variegated elderberry

Elderberries (Sambucus species) are one of those kinds of berries that you don’t see often in the store. True, you can sometimes find elderberry jam or syrup, but it isn’t nearly as commonly seen as other kinds of berry. I feel this is unfortunate, since healthwise, elderberries are great.

I’ve got two different elderberry bushes in my front yard. I have them in the front since they are some of the most attractive berry bushes I have.

For example, my 3 year old Guincho Purple elderberry bush has some great seasonal pink tinted flowers on it that contrast really well with its purple foliage.

The individual flowers look like this

I also have a Variegated elderberry bush, which has a nice contrast of creamy white and green foliage, with seasonal white flowers that are similar to the pink ones on my other elderberry bush.

In the fall, those clusters of flowers change to clusters of small blackish berries, so as you can probably imagine, my elderberries are pretty productive. I’ve heard the berries described as being tasty, though I’ve never been too keen on elderberries straight off the bush. I think they are best used in the syrups and jams. In other words, I like them sweetened.

I’ve heard of people using the flowers to make elderflower cordials or dipping them in pancake batter to make fritters, but I haven’t attempted that. I’ve also heard of people making tea, wine, or juice from the berries.

Overall, my elderberry bushes have been low care shrubs after planting them. The hardest part of having them is picking the berries in the fall. They are deciduous, so you may want to rake their fallen leaves in the fall.

I am growing two elderberry bushes since they need to pollinate each other.

My Guincho elderberry bush is in a more sunny location and has grown more in response, versus my Variegated bush growing under an evergreen tree where it gets much less light and much less moisture.  I have actually been pleasantly surprised by the toughness of the Variegated Elderberry bush.

The hollow stems of elderberry bushes can be used in a variety of ways like making flutes, popguns, or temporary fences. The berries can be used in dyes.