If you’re looking for a plant that gives you delicious berries and beautiful flowers, look no further than the elderberry bush. These plants are easy to grow in most climates, produce delicious fruit that can be used in a variety of ways, and they have attractive white flowers that bloom around summertime.
Ready to start growing your own elderberries? Read our guide below to get started.
What are Elderberries?
Elderberries are a versatile and easy-to-grow fruit that can be used to make jams, jellies, and wine. They also have a reputation as a pain reliever and immunity booster.
The elderberry is related to the blueberry, but it has larger berries with thicker skins. The flavor can be described as more intense than blueberries, so if you enjoy eating blueberries, you may enjoy elderberries as an elevated alternative.
Consider Your Local Climate Before Planting
Elderberries are best grown in areas with hot summers and mild winters. Elderberries can thrive in most climates, especially during the summertime.
If you live in USDA gardening zones 3-10 (most people live within one of these zones, with the exception of those who live in an area with extreme conditions) you’ll have no problem growing elderberries throughout the spring, summer, or early fall.
Elderberries are frost sensitive. If winter temperatures tend to drop below freezing in your area, expect that elderberries plants may become dormant during this time. Fortunately, they will come back to life once spring temperatures arrive.
Elderberries also cannot tolerate drought conditions, so ensure that you provide adequate water for the plants throughout the growing season.
Elderberries should be planted in an area where they can receive optimal sunlight. They tolerate partial shade, but do best when planted in full sun.
Consider Your Soil Before Planting
Elderberries thrive when planted in acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) with high levels of compost or organic matter. Before planting elderberries, prepare soil by adding compost and assessing the area to see that it is draining properly.
Elderberries should be planted in an area with adequate drainage, but they tolerate heavily saturated soil better than dry soil. If you live in an area with sandy soil that drains quickly, water your elderberry plants frequently and fertilize with organic matter.
Allow Space for Your Elderberry Shrubs to Grow
Elderberry shrubs grow to around 6 feet tall and can spread up to 8 feet wide, so allow plenty of space for the plants to grow in your garden. The shrubs are self-fertile, so they produce fruit the second year they’re planted in your garden or yard.
For best results, plant multiple different types of elderberries in the same area.
Planting Elderberries
Elderberries can be started from seed by sowing each seed ½” deep in containers so that the seeds can germinate indoors. They can be planted outdoors when they’re 6” tall.
When growing elderberries from seeds, it will take 3 years to get a harvest, so elderberries require patience to grow.
Elderberries can also be grown from cuttings, and you will need to wait 2 years to see a harvest. This is the most common way to start an elderberry plant, because they are fairly easy to root.
Cuttings can be collected from elderberry plants in fall, late winter, or early spring. Cut off 4” long sections and start them indoors in containers. Once the elderberry plants have at least 6” of new growth, they can be transplanted outdoors.
Elderberries can also be grown from roots or potted plants if you happen to find elderberries for sale at a nursery. These can be planted directly into the ground. Even with this method, you will need to wait 2 years before your elderberry plant begins to fruit.
Whichever planting method you opt for, ensure that your elderberry plants remain well-watered and fertilized as they grow.
Harvesting and Eating Elderberries
You can tell that an elderberry is ripe by looking at its color. Elderberries should be deep red when they are ripe. To test whether they are ready to eat, lightly pull on one of the berries and see if it comes off easily with little resistance. If it does not come off easily, continue checking the berries every few days until you find one that does.
Wait until the stem snaps easily when bent to pick the berries. They should come off easily with a gentle pull.
If your elderberry plants flower before producing fruit, you may need to trim back their stems so more energy is directed towards growing berries instead of flowers. This will help ensure a good yield of fruit later in summer or fall.
Watch for Disease or Pests
Elderberry plants can get various diseases, such as powdery mildew, rust, and anthracnose. Check for signs of disease before buying elderberries, planting them in your garden or yard, pruning them, harvesting them, and eating them.
Elderberry plants can also attract certain pests who may eat your fresh berries. Fortunately, there are several natural ways to prevent garden pests.
Prune Your Elderberry Plants
Once the berries are finished producing fruit and flowers, prune your elderberry bush back to just a few inches above the ground. Prune in the fall before new growth begins in spring. This will ensure that you don’t get too large of a shrub, which can be difficult to manage.
How to Grow Elderberries: Final Thoughts
Elderberries are fun to grow and can yield an abundance of great food that’s beneficial to your health. You can eat them fresh, bake them into muffins or breads, or use them in jams, jellies, and syrups.
If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy fruit to add variety to your backyard garden, elderberries might be the answer!
As you enjoy fresh berries from your elderberry plant along with other produce, use the Lil’ Broc app to track and monitor the freshness of your produce.