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Sambucus nigra

Black elderberry

Common names: elderberry, elder, lilac berry

Black elderberry

Photo: Willow · CC BY 2.5 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The Black elderberry is a hardy large shrub that bears fruit twice a year: fragrant flower spikes in June for syrup and elderflower cordial, and deep black berries from late August for juice, jam, and soup. Raw berries and green plant parts are inedible; heating makes them edible. Traditionally it has been used during cold season.

Care instructions

Plant the elderberry in autumn (October, week 42) in a sunny to partially shaded, not too dry spot with nutrient-rich soil. It grows quickly and vigorously. Cut it back heavily in winter (February, week 7) and remove old low wood. Elderberry fruits on last year's shoots and benefits from rejuvenation pruning with vigorous, productive new shoots.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6–7.58.0

Soil type

loamy, humus-rich, moist, nutrient-rich

LightPartial shade
HardinessHardy
Water needMedium

Feeding

Heavy feeder

Companion planting

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Diseases & pests

1 relevant

From the knowledge base, automatically linked by affected species. How to spot and prevent them is covered in full in the lexicon.

PesthighJun–Oct
Spotted Wing Drosophila

Drosophila suzukii

The Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a small fruit fly that, unlike native species, pierces healthy, still ripening fruits with its serrated ovipositor to lay eggs.

More on Spotted Wing Drosophila

Notes from real gardens

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