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Potted Elder Plant - Description
- Potted Elder Hedging Plants
- Sambucus Nigra 'Black Lace'
- Common Names: Elderberry Bush, European Black Elderberry, Black Elder Bush or Boon Tree
- Current Size: 45cm
- Pot size: 3 Litre
Potted Plant - Characteristics
- A native of Ireland - Common in Irish hedgerows
- Mature size: 2.5m to 4m
- Deciduous shrub, they loose their leaves in Winter
- Foliage - Early to come into leaf in Spring
- Leaves are approx. 10-30cm across & pinnate with 5 to 7 leaflets
- Fast growth rate
- Flower - Clusters of cream flowers appear in June / July
- Fruits - Deep red / black berries appear from September onwards
- A hardy plant, able for cold Winters & hard frosts
Potted Elder Plant - Uses
- The fruits & flowers of the elderberry can both attract & repel insects
- In the garden, the elder can be used as a fast growing specimen shrub or informal hedge
- Can be used with other natives to form a native hedgerow
- Suited to a sunny spot on most soil types
- Can plant for fruits to make elderberry juice (Note: Cook berries before eating)
Elder - Planting Instructions
Sowing Time
- Potted Plant can be planted all year round
- Best to best as soon as they arrive
- Avoid frosty conditions, where the ground is frozen
Positioning Plants
- If using as hedging, space plants 30-90cm apart
- When planting, hold plants at ground level & back fill the top soil
- Ensure each plant is straight & soil is compacted in around it's root ball
- Level off the soil around the plants
Handling the Plants
- Be sure to water both before & after planting
- Take care not to damage roots, bark & buds
After Care
- Water before & after planting
- If dry weather persists, water every 2 days
- Weeding is also essential, especially bind weed which can quickly smoother a young hedge
- A new hedge will need to be weeded at least 3 time over the growing season
- Weed in March, June & September
- We recommend using weed membrane & mulch to control weeds
Pruning
- Elder is a fast growing plant
- Cut back hard in March to encourage a more dense canopy
Irish Elder - Quick Facts
- This common & native plant is shrouded in folklore & myth
- Elder is known as a 'coloniser' as it is the first plant to establish on bare soils
- The word 'Eld' comes from a Saxon word meaning 'Fire'
- The hollow stems of the elder were used to blow at fires
- They were also used in making musical instruments such as pipes & whistles
- Elderberry juice was used to treat flu & colds
