How to Grow Elderberry

In ancient times, the elderberry was prized for its magical qualities. More recently, our grandmothers filled their pantries and root cellars with jams and jellies made from the tart little fruit. Today, the elderberry bush is still a popular plant, not only for its culinary qualities, but because of its versatility in the landscape. Elderberry bushes are pest resistant, easy to grow and when they are mature they make a good privacy screen. If you want to attract birds and butterflies to your yard, elderberry is a perfect choice.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Elderberry starts
• Compost or peat moss

1. Visit a nursery or garden center in early spring, and choose some healthy elderberry starts. Choose a sunny, well-drained site in your landscape and plant the starts as soon as you get them home.

2. Dig a hole for each elderberry bush and mix a large handful of compost or peat moss in each hole. The bushes will spread, so plant the starts between 5 and 10 feet apart.

3. Water the starts thoroughly, and keep them well watered during the first growing season. You should have your first crop of elderberries in August or September, although the bushes will provide more berries after the first year.

4. Spread some mulch around the base of the elderberry bush to control weeds. For the first two years, it's best to remove weeds by hand, because the roots of the new elderberry bush will initially be shallow and easily disturbed.

5. Start pruning the elderberry bushes when they're three to four years old, cutting them back if they begin to get too large. Remove any dead canes. Dig up any sucker plants and give them away or start new bushes.

References

• Elderberries.com: Elderberry Bush Planting
• Oregon State University: Grow Elderberries as a Fruit-Bearing Ornamental
• Old Fashioned Living: Growing and Using Elderberries