Elderberry Problems

Elderberry shrubs face relatively few problems

Elderberry bushes grow well in cool, shady places and are not suited to full sun. They require another variety of elderberry bush to pollinate. They bloom late in June, long after the danger of frost, and produce clusters of tiny bluish-black berries. Elderberries are quite hardy and have very few problems. Several insects, a few diseases and environmental issues pose the only threat to healthy elderberry bushes.

Insects

Relatively few insects bother elderberry plants. The most common pests are the elder shoot borer, aphids and the cecropia moth. Most insecticides have not been approved for use on elderberries, according to the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.

Diseases

Elderberry plants are susceptible to common diseases that can affect most plants: leaf spot, cankers and powdery mildew. Cankers can kill the elderberry. Less common but occurring occasionally are thread blight, root rot and verticillium wilt.

Cultural Problems

Elderberries do not like to be in swampy or overly damp areas. They prefer mildly acidic soils, so excessively alkaline soil can disturb their growth and overall health. Young plants are easily overrun by weeds; the area should be weeded before planting the bushes and thereafter keep the weeds out with shallow cultivation.

References

• New York State College of Agriculture: Elderberry Culture in New York State
• Penn State: Elderberries Insect Pests
• University of Wisconsin: Growing Currants, Gooseberries and Elderberries in Wisconsin
• Penn State: Elderberries Disease Descriptions

Resources

• Oklahoma State University: Growing Elderberries in Oklahoma