Growing my own elderflowers?

wssla00

Hi all,

I ADORE elderflowers so I would love to grow some in my own garden (Yes, I know I could forrage, but i live in a place where there are not very many about and if there are, they are on other people's land!)

So I am wondering where I can buy plants, and how to start them off?

Any help would be gratefully received!

bromsgrovebarry

Some of the nurseries that supply bare rooted hedge plants for farmers often supply elder. You may have to look for it under its botanical name of Sambucus nigra. Elder also roots very easily from cuttings. Use young growth in autumn when the leaves have fallen. Cuttings made about 20 cm long can be rooted outdoors in garden soil. Leave in situ for the first year, lift the following autumn and plant out.

wssla00

Thanks so much will have a go

Davesnave

...Or you could spend about £10 and have one of the dark purple leaved varieties, like Black Beauty or Black Lace, or a golden variety like Plumosa Aurea.

IMO these are better garden plants than the hedgerow Sambucus, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With the exception of Black Lace, which is less vigorous, all need regular hard pruning in spring.

twiglet98

I'm sure you could buy them at a garden centre but why not try freecycle? My hedges are overrun with the wretched things, they grow all over the place where the birds drop seeds, and I make all the elderflower cordial we can drink, then use the berries in preserves. They grow like weeds on our clay, and respond to brutal hacking-down by sending new10-foot high stems out in a matter of weeks! I've never tried propagating them (nor any other shrubs or cuttings) but I would think it's pretty easy, they seem indestructible!

wssla00

Cheers guys, will have a look

Farway

Are you aware some edlerflowers smell like cat wee? A lot don't but I would go for one you have seen flowering and get cuttings

I used to make elderflower champagne which is how I sometimes came across a cat wee one

wssla00

actually.... now you mention it.... I remember them smelling like that! Goodness lol will take a look at that lol!

wigglebeena

Isn't it hawthorn that smells like cat wee? Not that I find it so offensive myself, but other people comment.

Errata

My golden elder doesn't smell like cat pee, but the mongrel ones at the bottom of the garden in the hedge reek !

bromsgrovebarry

The elder variety 'Black Lace' has a pleasant lemon fragrance from its pink tinged flowers. It is an excellent shrub with beautiful foliage.