elderflower

[sheribeee]

Where can i get an elderflower bush/tree from? i have never seen one, but would love one!

[Hawkwalk]

You can buy them in most garden centres. They are called Sambucus nigra and are fairly common.

[anywhen]

Hi, elderberry or flower grow wild, you may not have seen them but if you have ever had pink bird droppings on you wind screen they are not far away . You can get one from ebay- just put elderberry in the search.

[landscaper2]

http://www.bluebellnursery.com/cgi-bin/catalog ue.cgi?cat=t&genus=Sambucus&initial=S

[terambulan]

I cant believe people buy elderberry. They are extremely invasive and are all over the countryside growing wild. Yes, the birds do love the berries and muck your car up with the droppings. The 'greenies' come out in force in summer to collect elder fruit for wines, etc. In September Elderberry trees are awash with flocks of raucaus starlings. Your patio and conservatory become spattered and slimy with red bird droppings. U will rue the day u planted an elderberry, which can hit 20ft in 1y.

[Ice.Maiden]

But they have wonderful medicinal properties and make lovely elderberry or elderflower wine. It's true, you need space to let one grow, but if you have it - then I'd say go ahead. It's not just those which cause colourful bird droppings either. Blackberry bushes can do it as well, but I think if you have the space, what you can do with both bushes outweighs the mess.

[thugulike]

I've got thousands of seedlings you can have. Very invasive although they do attract pheasants in the Autumn. I hate elderberry.

[sheribeee]

i want it really for my allotment, i have gooseberries, so want to combine the 2, and to make cordial with, so no probs with the space thing, just wondering about the birds coming onto the allotment, they may fancy my vegis more!!!

[LoftyLottie]

Agree with Ice-maiden (yet again). Go for it. I would not use the elderberries or flowers from those that grow wild by roadsides or even surrounding fields, due to the chemical fumes from cars and agricultural spraying, so growing them on an allotment seems just find to me. I have some in the garden, they tend to grow out from the base of other trees (parasitic?).


As for bird poo, well it can be washed off and all my windows suffer all year round as I specifically grow bird friendly bushes with plenty of berries!!

[madboutcats]

elderberry does not smell very nice when its being cut, im constantly having to cut my mums back as it has seeded itself all over the garden, im not a fan of the elderberry, hate it infact.....but let me put you off.

[madboutcats]

oops that should read but dont let me put you off.

[Kleiber]

Elderberries are wonderful! I've got loads growing here on the farm and use them for wine, cordial, syrup, pies etc. They've got great medicinal properties, as said before, I don't find them invasive at all. It's supposed to be bad luck to cut down an elder tree, as it has magical properties and keeps evil away! Sheribee, if you're anywhwere near west Wales, come over and you can have some of my baby elders.

[sheribeee]

Thanku kleiber! Thats very kind of u to offer! Unfortunately i live in northants, so long way away!!
I know what they look like now, saw some at my dads allotment today so will go hunting round our allotments to see if there are already some there.
Just need some good recipes now, i hear elderberry and gooseberries are lovely together!! xx

[iooi]

Hi All, I also want to grow elderflowers in my garden. Home Base, B & Q don�t have it and e bay only have one seed seller. If ether Kleiber or Thugulike could be kind enough to send me some seeds or a root cutting I would very much appreciate it as I live in London and I seem to find it hard to get hold of. Thanks for all the good advice here it really helped me again thanks :-).

[iooi]

I Love Elderflowers :-)(-: