5 Elder Flower Hedge Plants 1-2ft,Make Elderberry Wine & Elderflower Lemonade

5 Elder Tree / Elder Berry (European Elder)  - Sambucus Nigra -  Plants 40-60CM Bare-Rooted

These are BARE ROOTED plants which can be planted from the end of October until April and will be dispatched as soon as the weather turns cold and they become dormant.The dispatch date depends on the Autumn temperature and varies from year to year.

This is an outer woodland edge shrub or small tree providing low shelter by lifting the wind and disturbing the air flow. It is a bushy native species which grows rapidly when young.

Growing Details

Common Name: Common elder
Genus: Sambucus
Species: nigra
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Moist, Sandy
Height: 600cm
Spread: 600cm

Description

It is floriferous in June with numerous creamy-white flat cymes. These are followed by juicy purple-black berries in dense heavy clusters. The name 'eller' was given to elder in several counties from Kent to Cheshire. This Anglo-Saxon word means 'kindler' and refers to the use of a hollow elder stem as bellows to kindle a fire. The Greek name Sambuke is a reference to the musical use of the hollow stems.

The shrub is well known for medicinal and cooking uses, such as -

• The flowerheads are commonly used in infusions, giving a very common refreshing drink in Northern Europe and Balkans. Commercially these are sold as elderflower cordial, etc.
• The berries are edible after cooking and can be used to make jam, jelly, chutney and cordial. They go particularly well with blackberries and with apples – for example in apple pie

For the bare root planting instructions, please click here.