Elderberries
for Home Gardens
Table of Contents
- Site
- Soil Preparation
- Plants
- Planting Distances
- Setting Plants
- Care of Planting
- Cultivars
- Propagation
- Diseases
- Pests
The common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a shrub which grows
wild in much of southern Ontario as well as many areas in eastern North
America. Elderberry is not a significant commercial crop, but is commonly
grown in home gardens.
Figure 1.
The common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).
Elderberry is popular for its purple black fruit which is used in pies,
wines, jellies, jams, juices and soup (Figure 1). It
can also be used as a natural colour in food products. Elderberry blossoms
are also used in wine making or can be deep fried. Elderberry is an ornamental
as well as a fruit plant, with its spectacular fragrant flowers and attractive
fruits.
Site
In its natural habitat, the elderberry is commonly found on fertile,
moist soils. Under cultivation, it is tolerant to a wide range of soil
conditions, but grows best on well-drained loam soils. Good soil drainage
should be considered in site selection. An open field located away from
woods allows free air movement, reducing disease problems, frost and potential
insect and bird damage.
Soil Preparation
Elderberries are a perennial crop that require proper soil preparation
before planting. A soil test will help determine existing nutrient levels
and ultimately the suitability of the site. On sandy soils or soils low
in fertility, organic matter such as manure or peat should be incorporated
prior to planting to increase moisture retention and provide nutrients.
The site should be cultivated and properly drained prior to planting.
Eradication of perennial weeds prior to planting by cultivation and/or
herbicides will help improve plant establishment. On heavy or poorly drained
soils, plant vigour may be improved by planting on raised beds.
Plants
Elderberry plants should be disease free. Although elderberries are tolerant
to improper conditions, care should be taken to prevent roots from drying
out before planting.
All elderberry cultivars are considered partially self-fruitful. Cross-pollination
increases fruit production, therefore two or more cultivars should be
planted in close proximity.
Planting Distances
Planting distances of 1 metre in the row and 4-5 metres between rows
will establish a hedgerow within three growing seasons. In home gardens,
plants may be closer together with at least 2 metres between plants in
any direction.
Setting Plants
Planting should be done in early spring. The depth at which elderberry
plants are set may vary as long as the roots are well covered and the
soil firmly packed. It is suggested, however, to set them at the same
depth as grown in the nursery. Watering at or immediately following planting
will improve initial root establishment and subsequent plant growth.
Care of Planting
Weed Control/Mulching
Weeds may be suppressed by shallow, careful cultivation in rows and between
plants. Mulch such as straw, sawdust, or well composted material around
the plants may also help control weeds. A hedgerow of vigorous elderberry
plants will help suppress weeds. Perennial weeds such as quackgrass and
goldenrod are difficult to control within the hedgerow and should be eliminated
prior to planting or as they appear within the planting.
Irrigation
Elderberry plants need approximately 25 mm of water each week from bloom
time to the end of harvest. If rainfall is lacking, plants should be irrigated
for optimum plant growth and fruit production. Plants should also be watered
if prolonged dry periods occur after harvest.
Pruning
During the first two seasons plants should be encouraged to grow vigorously
with little to no pruning required. After the second year, pruning should
be done annually in early spring. All dead, broken and weak canes should
be removed. Three-year-old canes should be removed as they produce less
fruit and appear to be more prone to winter injury. Removal of older canes
will encourage the growth of new, more fruitful canes.
Mowing of all the canes in a mature planting may be a method of reducing
labour costs while encouraging growth of new canes. The disadvantage of
this system is that there is a loss of production in the season following
mowing as there is limited production on the one-year-old canes.
Harvesting
Elderberry fruits normally mature between mid-August and mid-September.
Clusters ripen over a period of 5-15 days and are easy to harvest. Fruit
in containers should not be held at room temperature for more than 2-4
hours as internal heating reduces quality and causes rapid spoilage. Yields
of 12-15 lbs. (5.5-6.8 kg) of fruit can be expected per plant in 3-4 years
if managed properly.
Cultivars
Several cultivars have been tested and grown. Below is a list of some
of the more reliable cultivars along with some of their attributes:
- NY21 - moderately vigorous, productive with large clusters and fruit
- Johns - vigorous, productive with very tall plants with the largest
fruit clusters (good ornamental value)
- York - Late maturing, vigorous, productive with large berries and
clusters
- Victoria - moderately vigorous with medium-size berries and clusters
- Adams - Vigorous large fruited, late maturing.
Propagation
Elderberries are easily propagated from hardwood or softwood cuttings,
root cuttings, or suckers. Dormant hardwood cuttings with two or more
nodes can be taken from one-year-old canes in early spring and set directly
in nursery rows or their permanent location. Fall cuttings from one-year-old
canes can be used also. Fall cuttings can be wrapped in plastic to reduce
moisture loss and stored in a cool dark place until spring. Cuttings should
be set in soil so that only the top pair of buds are above the soil surface.
Diseases
Tomato Ringspot Virus is among the most serious diseases affecting elderberries.
It is spread by nematodes and through pollen transfer. Dandelions and
some other weeds can also carry this virus. It results in weakened plants,
reduced productivity and eventually plant death. To control the virus,
the soil should be tested for nematodes prior to planting, and fumigated
if necessary. Wild elderberry plants within an area of 100 ft. (31 metres)
surrounding cultivated plants should be eradicated also.
Stem and twig cankers (Cytospora, Nectria, and Sphaeropsis)
are among the fungus diseases which can be controlled by pruning and burning
of infected canes. Powdery mildew can affect canes and berries in late
summer and early fall. It results in a grey appearance on the berries,
but does not lower the quality of the juice. Leaf spotting fungi, thread
blight, root rots, and Verticillium are among the less common diseases.
Pests
Birds are the major pest affecting elderberries. They eat the fruits,
and can be a serious problem in small plantings. Control measures include
noise cannons, distress calls and prompt harvesting of ripe fruit, but
the most effective means is netting.
Elder Shoot Borer
The larva is yellowish white with a double row of black dots across each
body segment and a black head. It feeds inside the stem and may cause
substantial dieback and loss of canes. Infested and dead canes should
be cut out in the fall to destroy overwintering eggs. The adult is a moth
with rust red forewings mottled with grey and yellowish grey hind wings.
Sap Beetles
Adult beetles are 5 mm in length, black with four yellow spots on the
elytra. The beetles become a problem when fruit is damaged or overmature,
as they are attracted by fermenting sugars. Sap beetle larvae can also
be a problem. As the blooms form larvae will tunnel into the base of the
bloom and feed in the centre of the flower cluster.
Eriophyid Mites
These tiny mites, visible only under microscope, attack the leaves and
cause the edges to roll and yellow bands to appear. They can be controlled
by dormant sprays, but their damage is normally not serious.
Other Insects
The adult beetles of the elder borer are present during June and July
and cause notches on elderberry leaves. Two-spotted spider mites also
affect the elder and can reduce the crop by 75% when the numbers are high.
Additional insects include aphids, potato flea beetles, grape mealy bugs,
thrips, San Jose scale, currant borer and rose chafer.
Acknowledgement: Thanks to G. Kis who helped in the preparation of this
Factsheet.
