Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Moist, well-drained soil enriched with plenty of compost.
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Position
Full sun to part shade. Elderberries grow into large bushes or small trees, and are most at home near streams or other in moist spots.
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Frost tolerant
Yes, both the European and North Amercian species are very cold tolerant.
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Feeding
None needed, but young plants require steady moisture to become established.
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Companions
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Spacing
Single Plants: 8' 2" (2.50m) each way (minimum)
Rows: 6' 6" (2.00m) with 9' 10" (3.00m) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Set out purchased plants in spring at about the time of your last frost. Water regularly to keep the roots from drying out.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Elderberries can benefit pollinators as well as animals and songbirds that eat the berries. Young plants need protection from deer.
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Harvesting
Cut fruit clusters when the berries are dark blue to black and droop from their weight. The berries can be washed, patted dry and frozen, or you can cook them into a juice for making jelly. Fruits left on the plant will be harvested by animals and birds in early autumn.
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Troubleshooting
Elderberries can develop several leafspot diseases, but the vigorous plants recover from passing problems. The American species spreads by sending out rooted suckers and can become weedy in some sites.
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