Elderberry is a versatile shrub that can take on the appearance of a small tree with proper care and pruning practices, flourishing in gardening zones 3 to 9.
Plant elderberries from seed or take six-inch softwood cuttings during late fall or spring when dormant. Plant them in large planters with well-draining soil that has an optimal pH range between 5.5 to 6.5.
Spring
Elderberry bushes are relatively easy to care for, yet require careful thought when planting. As with many plants, elderberry bushes thrive best in cooler climates with seasonal changes and well-draining soil; therefore they do not do as well in hot and dry climates such as desert areas. Elderberry bushes should be planted after frost has passed and soil conditions become workable – as well as being shallow rooted so should only be planted into fertile, well-draining soils that provide plenty of drainage.
Elderberries do not require much maintenance once established; however, regular pruning is highly encouraged to promote vigorous growth and fruit yield. From late winter through early spring, prune the elderberry shrub by cutting back any thick, tangled growth as well as any dead or diseased canes; doing this helps encourage new wood to form, creating a more productive shrub. Furthermore, cutting back suckering growth from its base helps limit its invasive tendencies.
Elderberries benefit greatly from having a thick layer of mulch such as shredded bark or rotted hay applied as an outer cover, protecting their roots while conserving moisture and helping the soil remain fertile as it breaks down. Although fertilization is usually unnecessary, if your plants seem struggling or no new growth appears over time a light application of slow-release organic compost or manure could prove helpful.
Before transplanting elderberries bare root or potted nursery stock, its roots should be thoroughly soaked for 12 hours in a bucket of water to reduce shock from transplanting and to reduce stress on the plant. Potted plants should also be soaked prior to being removed from their containers.
Elderberries do not require much water to thrive, but should remain consistently moist throughout their first growing season. Supplemental water may be necessary during periods of drought or sandy or gravelly soil; as time progresses and your shrub becomes established it should become self-sufficient in watering needs.
Summer
Elderberries are relatively low-maintenance plants once established. Aside from regular pruning to keep their appearance tidy and cut back old wood which won’t bear fruit again next season, elderberry bushes also benefit from applying mulch regularly to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds – adding several inches of organic material such as well-rotted manure or compost can be applied each spring as an extra measure – they should also be fertilized each spring using a 10-10-10 fertilizer blend for optimal results.
For optimal results, select a location with partial to full sun. Elderberries naturally thrive in ditches and wetlands but can adapt to more shaded sites if the environment does not become too dry. While not fussy about temperature conditions, their preferred environment includes cool moisture levels ranging between 60-80% of soil moisture content (5.5-6.5) for best growth results. They also tolerate most soil types provided it drains well while remaining slightly acidic between pH 5.5-6.65.
If you are transplanting bare root shrubs, soak them for 12 hours prior to transplanting in water in order to reduce shock to their new roots and make handling them easier. Potted nursery stock may also benefit from this soak.
Plant both bare-root and containerized plants as soon as the ground can be worked in spring, assuming all frost has subsided. If it remains too cold for planting at this time, wait until fall instead.
Mature bushes in landscape settings should be spaced 3 to 6 feet apart to allow for proper air circulation between them and to allow growth, as this will prevent disease of their leaf structure and improve berry production.
Elderberries, like other berries, are heavy feeders and require well-drained soil. Amending it with plenty of organic matter to increase nutrient content and water holding capacity is especially useful if there is heavy rainfall; mulching also can help retain soil moisture while improving aeration. Amending soil early enough in fall will allow it to establish itself prior to winter weather setting in.
Fall
Elderberries thrive when grown in soil with full sun exposure that is rich, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5) and well-drained; compost or well-rotted manure should be mixed into the planting site at planting time to provide organic matter such as compost. They require regular pruning once established to control height and encourage branching; any dead canes should be pruned off in late winter/early spring before new leaves emerge, to prevent borer, soft scale and aphid pests from attacking. Regular pruning also keeps plants healthy while protecting from potential threats such as borer, soft scales or aphids which could potentially threaten them as they don’t allow as much light into their growing conditions compared to their counterparts that would normally take over their host country’s terrain!
If you are cultivating elderberries in containers, fertilize it regularly with an Espoma brand 10-10-10 granular fertilizer such as this to promote fruit production and cross pollination. Follow the directions on the package for how much to apply per plant in each container. For optimal results when planting multiple elderberry plants at once in one container, space them out roughly 20 feet apart so as to maximize cross pollination and fruit yields.
Once your elderberries are well-established, adding a light mulch of shredded wood may help conserve moisture and protect the soil from drying out too quickly – this is particularly helpful with shallow-rooted potted elderberries which benefit from extra protection from drying out too quickly.
Nursery-grown bare-root plants can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked, though their cultivation from seed may prove more difficult and will produce less berries than cuttings grown from cuttings. Softwood cuttings can provide an efficient and economical means of expanding elderberry plantings for harvest later this year. Incorporating rooting hormones like willow bark into this process will speed things along further. After being rooted, cuttings may be transferred to larger seed starting containers or planted directly into your garden. As with a new planting, soil preparation should include adding extra depth in order to protect roots from frost; additionally, rootballs should be covered in shredded wood mulch in order to remain protected over winter.
Winter
Elderberry bushes can thrive in most climates, yet their flowers and berries perform best when exposed to seasonal changes and moist soil conditions. Though tolerant of sunlight, their flowers require full exposure if their full potential can be realized; select a planting site which receives six or more hours of direct sun every day for best results.
Plant elderberry shrubs in early spring after the danger of frost has passed in your region, or propagate an existing one by pruning away diseased or dead canes and suckering growth to maintain compactness and proper management. Remove diseased or dead canes in late winter or early spring before the plant resumes active growth in order to boost fruit production.
Elderberries are easy to cultivate, yet can be susceptible to pests and diseases. Watch out for aphids, beetles and soft scales which feed off of nutrients in your plants – these pests can be managed with insecticide. To lower the risk of infestations by elderberry shrubs in sunnier locations with moist soil; and avoid excessive fertilization with fertilizers.
An elderberry bush requires moisture and nutrients in its soil for proper growth and will benefit from having an organic mulch layer around its base to retain water and provide slow-release fertilizer. Plus, mulch provides protection from weeds competing for water and nutrients with your elderberries!
Once established, elderberry bushes tend to be self-sufficient. While they don’t require additional irrigation, regular summer watering is necessary in order to keep the soil moist; especially important if weather conditions become hot and dry causing plants to wilt or develop unsightly brown spots on them.
Make sure to harvest elderberry berries just before they turn color in late summer for maximum flavorful harvests, ideal for preserves and wine making. Your first year may yield small crops; significant harvests typically don’t appear until their second or third years have passed – don’t give up hope, though, harvesting ripe elderberries is worth waiting for!
