10x Bare Root Irish Elder Plants (2-3ft) PRE-ORDER

First Dispatch Date: 9th November 2026

Irish Elder Plant - Description

• Bare Root Elder Hedging Plants
• Sambucus nigra
• Also known as Elderberry Bush, European Black Elderberry, Black Elder and Boon Tree
• Native Irish Hedging Plant
• Bare Root Plants
• Size: 2-3ft (60-100cm)
• Quantity: 10 Plants
• 2 Year Old Seedlings / Bare Root
• Recommended Spacing: 30–90cm Between Plants
• Ideal when mixed through a native hedgerow
• Important: Water well before and after planting

Irish Elder Plant - Characteristics

• Native to Ireland and commonly found in Irish hedgerows
• Fast-growing deciduous shrub which can reach approximately 3–5m when fully grown
• Loses its foliage during winter
• One of the earlier shrubs to come into leaf in spring
• Large pinnate leaves with 5–7 leaflets
• Produces broad clusters of creamy-white flowers in June and July
• Produces dark red to black berries from late summer into autumn
• Very hardy and well suited to cold Irish winters and hard frosts

Irish Elder Plant - Uses

• Excellent choice for native Irish gardens and traditional hedgerows
• Can be grown as a fast-growing specimen shrub
• Can be used to create an informal hedge
• Ideal for mixing with other native hedging plants to create a diverse wildlife-friendly hedgerow
• Suitable for sunny or partially shaded positions
• Adaptable to a wide range of reasonably fertile, well-drained soils
• Flowers provide a valuable source of nectar for insects
• Berries provide food for birds and other wildlife
• The flowers and berries can also be used for culinary purposes when correctly prepared
• Important: Elderberries should be cooked before consumption. Do not eat raw berries, leaves, stems or other plant parts.

Irish Elder - Planting Instructions

Planting Time

• Plant bare root shrubs during the dormant season from October to March.
• Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or during severe frosty conditions.

Trench Preparation

• Prepare a planting hole or trench approximately 2ft wide and 2ft deep.
• Add well-rotted farmyard manure to the base of the hole or trench if required.
• Cover the manure with a layer of soil before planting.

Positioning Plants

• For hedging, space plants approximately 30–90cm apart depending on the desired density.
• Position each plant at approximately the same depth as it was previously growing.
• Backfill with suitable topsoil.
• Ensure each plant is upright and firm the soil carefully around the roots.
• Level the soil around the plants.
• Water thoroughly after planting.

Handling the Plants

• Watering is essential both before and after planting.
• Plant the bare root plants as soon as possible after delivery.
• If planting is delayed, temporarily heel the plants into suitable soil.
• Keep the roots in their packaging and protected from direct sunlight.
• Take care not to damage the roots, bark or buds during planting.

After Care

• Water regularly until the plants are fully established.
• Water thoroughly immediately after planting.
• During prolonged dry weather, water approximately every 2 days.
• Keep the area around the young hedge free from competing weeds.
• Particular care should be taken with bindweed, which can quickly smother young plants.
• A new hedge should be weeded at least three times during the growing season.
• We recommend weeding in March, June and September.
• Weed membrane and mulch can be used to help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.

Pruning

• Elder is a fast-growing plant and responds well to pruning.
• Cut back hard in March if required to encourage a denser and more compact canopy.
• Regular pruning can help maintain an attractive informal hedge.

Irish Elder - Quick Facts

• Elder is a common native plant with a long history in Irish folklore and tradition.
• Elder is an effective colonising plant and can establish readily on disturbed or bare ground.
• The hollow stems have traditionally been used to make whistles, pipes and other simple instruments.
• The flowers and berries have long been used in traditional food and drink preparation.
• The creamy-white flower clusters provide an important food source for insects.
• The dark berries are particularly valuable to birds in late summer and autumn.
• Sambucus nigra is an excellent addition to a diverse native hedgerow.