Elderflowers?

catkins

I have decided to make some elderflower cordial this year and according to all the books, articles on the internet etc the flowers should be ready end of May/beginning of June. Well I don't know if it is because of the warm weather we have had but where I live they seem to be in full flower now. I am pretty certain they are elderflower as have checked online what they look like but just wanted to check on here if people can confirm they are in full flower now and ready to pick.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

floyd

I will have a look in my usual spot today and let you know. Where in the country are you as flowering times vary vastly depending on the region

lovecrafting

I am in lancashire and they are in full bloom here. i have never made cordial with elderflower only wine and fizzy yuckness for christmas time. i may have a play with this idea tomorow when the kids are in school

catkins

floyd wrote: »

I will have a look in my usual spot today and let you know. Where in the country are you as flowering times vary vastly depending on the region

I am in Essex. Pretty sure as I say that they are in full bloom but there are quite a lot of different trees/shrubs with similar flowers so what to make sure

anniemf2508

not seen any round here yet, hopefully it won't be long tho as need to get loads this year, my daughter decided she loved elderflower cordial last year but by the time she realised the flowers had all gone (and the bought stuff is so expensive)

purpleheather2810

Not seen any here yet (Midlands) - but smell them because it's an unmistakeable smell imho.

floyd

Nothing here, there aren't even any buds on any of them yet. There are other species of elder that look similar like danewort which flower earlier but the smell will tell you they definitely are not the sambucus nigra that make delicious drinks

Farway

I am in Hampshire, none here yet, I do not think they are elder flowers

Got a picture?

floyd

The only thing I could spot today that was in flower now that bears any resemblance to elder was Rowan, that tends to have 9 leaves instead of 5-7 like elderflower but the flowers look similar. Best going by smell though, in full sun elderflowers are unmistakeable, when they are old or damp they smell like cat pee

zippychick

as this has dropped down the OS board, i popped it to the greenfingers board to see if someone over here can help you identify them:)

Zip

splodger_seedswapper

no elderflowers yet down here (hampshire) - although the bracts have formed, so won't be long (i have been keeping an eye on them as i shall be making wine from them)