General
Sambucus nigra (elder) is a vigorous large shrub or small tree valued for highly fragrant umbels of creamy-white flowers in late spring and clusters of purple-black berries in late summer. Flowers are used for cordials and fritters; fully ripe cooked berries for jams, syrups, and wine. The plant is hardy and resilient, coppices well, and makes an excellent wildlife plant, supporting pollinators and birds. Many ornamental cultivars exist (e.g., 'Haschberg', 'Sampo' for yield; 'Black Lace' for foliage). Select named fruiting cultivars for reliable harvest in colder zones. Site in sun for maximum bloom and berry production.
Light
Full sun to light shade; best flowering and fruiting in at least 6 hours of direct sun.
Soil type
Moist, well-drained loam or clay-loam enriched with organic matter; tolerates heavier soils if not waterlogged.
Water requirement
Moderate; keep evenly moist during establishment and flowering/fruiting. Drought reduces berry set.
Nutrient requirement
Low to moderate; annual compost mulch is usually sufficient. Avoid heavy nitrogen which promotes leafy growth over flowers.
Precultivation
Elder is most commonly propagated by hardwood or softwood cuttings. Seed is slow and requires stratification. For seed: cold-stratify 8–12 weeks at 1–4°C, then sow in trays at 15–20°C; germination can be staggered over several months. For cuttings: take 20–30 cm hardwood cuttings in late winter and root in moist, free-draining medium. Grow on in pots until strong roots form, then harden off before planting out when frost risk has passed.
Planting
Plant container-grown or rooted cuttings when daytime temperatures are consistently above 5°C and soil is workable. Space 3–4 m apart for bushes; 2–3 m for hedging. Dig a wide hole, mix in well-rotted compost, and set the plant at the same depth as in the pot. Water in thoroughly and mulch 5–8 cm with composted bark or leaves, keeping mulch off the stems. Elder tolerates pruning to shape; you can multi-stem by cutting back to 30–50 cm at establishment to encourage strong shoots. Stake only in windy sites.
Pruning
Goal: maintain a framework of 8–12 strong, young shoots because elder fruits best on 1–3-year-old wood. Late winter (before budbreak): remove dead, damaged, crossing, or the oldest (grey, thick) stems at the base to stimulate new shoots. After flowering (mid-summer) light shaping is possible, especially for ornamental cultivars. For rejuvenation, coppice to 15–30 cm above ground every 3–4 years; expect reduced crop that season but vigorous regrowth.
Maintenance
Mulch annually with 3–5 cm compost to conserve moisture and feed soil biology. Water during dry spells, especially in the first 2 years and during flowering/fruit set. A light organic feed (compost tea or pelleted chicken manure) in spring is sufficient. Keep a weed-free ring 50–80 cm around the base. Monitor for suckers if you wish to limit spread, or use suckers for propagation. In cold regions, snow load can splay branches; light tying of young canes helps.
Harvest
Flowers: pick fully opened, fresh white umbels on dry mornings from late May to mid-June; avoid browning blooms. Berries: harvest full clusters when deep black-purple and glossy (late Aug–Sept). Do not eat raw berries in quantity; cook thoroughly to neutralize cyanogenic compounds. Strip berries with a fork for processing. Prune lightly after harvest if needed.
Common issues
Pests/diseases are usually minor. Aphids and elder shoot borer can distort young growth—encourage beneficial insects, use strong water sprays, or apply soap if needed. Powdery mildew may appear in dry, shaded conditions; improve airflow, water at soil level, and remove heavily affected shoots. Birds relish berries—use netting on a portion of the bush if you need guaranteed yield. Waterlogging can lead to root stress; ensure drainage.
Pollination
Insect-pollinated; generally self-fertile, but planting two genetically different cultivars improves fruit set.
Companion plants
Currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.), comfrey (as a mineral accumulator/mulch), chives and garlic (beneficial insects), mint (groundcover in moist sites), meadow flowers for pollinators.
Incompatible plants
Avoid very shallow-rooted annuals at the base (disturbance); do not site directly beneath black walnut. Avoid pairing with thirsty trees competing for the same moisture.
