HERBS 'N SPICES: ORNAMENTAL TREASURES

March 8, 2006

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis; American Elder) has a

rich history in herbal lore. It was believed to be magical, and even rumored to be home to the Elder-Mother who protected

it from damage. There are many other tales about European

elder that involve the calming of babies, the ability to see fairies and to divine the future. However, the elderberry doesn't need

magical characteristics to prove its worth. It's flowers are pretty, the berries are nutritious, it's fragrant and it benefits wildlife.

I have seen references to elderberry as a "high maintenance" shrub. Granted, it does take some care to assure it doesn't take over your property, but it's worth it. The clusters of tiny white flowers have a sweet fragrance. The clusters can grow to measure 8 or more inches across and often cover the entire

shrub! The blossoms are often used to make fritters, tea and

other beverages. The berries that form after flowering are very nutritious and have been used for centuries to make wine, pies,

jams, and jellies.

It's important to choose the location of elderberry very carefully.

There are many varieties available from garden centers that will

vary in different ways. They all require a moist soil in full sun or

very light shade. Some varieties are hardy to Zone 3. The shrubs aren't really picky about the soil itself as long as it's on the moist

side. Elderberry can get out of control if measures aren't taken

to prune it. It isn't the type of shrub for formal, neat areas. It can

be cut back in the spring to keep it pruned. Volunteer seedlings

should also be dug up and any sucker plants growing from the elderberry removed. If you'd like, the suckers can be given away or transplanted. Elderberry is suited well for naturalized spots,

wetland areas, or as a privacy screen. Deer, rabbits, squirrels,

chipmunks, turkeys, quails, mourning doves, mockingbirds and

many other birds love elderberries.

Elderberry flowers and ripe berries are edible, but all other parts

of the plant are toxic. Even the berries have small amounts of

toxic alkaloids. Cooking destroys these and changes the taste

as well for the better. Cooked elderberries can be made into

pies, jellies, wine and other desserts. As mentioned, flowers are edible and can be used as well.

A few warnings: The elderberry has clusters of dark berries. Be SURE of what you are harvesting before eating if you find them in the wild. There are shrubs that look similar but all parts

are poisonous. One, the Scarlet Elder, has red berries, and

another type of shrub has black berries that are on thorny wood.

Elderberries do not have thorns. Any of these varieties should

NOT be handled by children for any reason. When pruning,

don't burn the cuttings.

Despite these warnings, elderberry is an heirloom herb that is worthy of growing in your landscape. I was fortunate to find

elderberry shrubs in a scrub area of the property we bought

last summer and can't wait till summer when it blooms.

The following is a simple recipe for jelly:

Elderberry Jelly

Mother Earth News July/August 1973

Ingredients:

3 pounds elderberries

juice of 1 lemon

1 box fruit pectin

4 1/2 cups sugar

Heat the berries over a low fire until the juice starts to flow and

then simmer the fruit for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid through a

double layer of cheesecloth (easier if you cook the fruit in the

evening and let it drain overnight). Mix the elderberry and lemon

juices along with just enough water to make three cups of fluid.

Add the pectin, bring the mixture to a boil and stir in the sugar.

Bring the jelly to a full boil again for one minute, pour it into

sterilized glasses and cover the jars with paraffin.

“If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride, because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about other people's opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. Remember St. Aloysius, who said he would continue to play billiards even if he knew he was going to die. Do you play well? Sleep well? Eat well? These are duties. Nothing is small for God.”

~ Mother Theresa20th century humanitarian

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