A Guide For Growing Elderberry - Nature’s Original FARMacy

Why I Love Growing Perennials

I love growing perennials alongside my annual vegetable garden! They add beauty and value while generally requiring fewer labor hours than annuals to produce the same amount of food. 

When you’re done learning how to grow elderberries, you can check out more perennial growing guides like how to grow grapes, how to grow gooseberries & currants, how to grow blackberries, how to grow raspberries, how to grow blueberries, how to grow strawberries, and how to plant fruit trees.

Growing Elderberry

Evidence suggests that elderberries have been cultivated for at least 4,000 years! The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used elderberries for their medicinal properties, and they were also commonly used in traditional European medicine.

They are rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, and have been used to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and relieve cold and flu symptoms. Elderberries are a good source of the following: 

Vitamin C is important for immune function, skin health, and wound healing. Vitamin B6 is important for brain function and the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. 

Iron is vital for the production of red blood cells and the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Potassium is needed to maintain healthy blood pressure and heart function. 

Dietary fiber is important for digestive health and can help lower cholesterol levels. Antioxidants, including flavonoids and anthocyanins, can help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.

How to Propagate Elderberries From Cuttings

If you have a friend or neighbor who has an elderberry tree, and you want to grow more of them, you’ll be glad to know that elderberries are really easy to grow from cuttings! Elderberries can be propagated from cuttings or from seed, but cuttings are generally more reliable. It is similar to collecting scionwood for fruit tree grafting.

The best time to take a cutting is early season, when the plant is barely breaking bud. Here in Michigan, I usually take elderberry cuttings about 3 to 5 weeks before our last frost date, but the timing may differ in other places. 

1. Take Cutting - Take a cutting that is at least 5 to 7 inches tall and has at least one leafing joint. Pro-Tip: The take rate on elderberry cuttings is roughly 60-65%, so take more cuttings than you plan to plant.

2. Soak - Put the bottom of the cuttings (cut side furthest from the leafing joint) in some water for 5 to 7 days, changing the water out every single day. 

3. Prepare Rooting Soil - To make rooting soil, mix one part pH-balanced potting mix, one part sand, and a small amount of all-purpose organic fertilizer, such as Trifecta+, in a washtub. Add water until the rooting soil is just damp. Pro-Tip: Elderberries do prefer slightly acidic soil, but rooting doesn’t work as well under acidic conditions, so make sure the potting mix is pH-neutral.

4. Fill Containers with Soil - Put the rooting soil in seedling pots, one pot for each cutting. Or you can use the lay-down rooting method (shown in the video at the beginning of the blog post) to root them in a shallow 1020 tray.

5. Rooting - Remove the cuttings from the water and stick the wet end of each cutting into the prepared rooting soil. 

6. Leave Them Buried - Leave the cuttings in the rooting soil for 4 to 6 weeks, in a location that receives filtered sunlight for 4 to 7 hours a day. Keep them out of strong direct sunlight. Don’t get antsy and start pulling the cuttings out of the rooting soil to check the roots, or you will break off the tender roots and end up killing your cuttings!

7. Water - Keep the rooting soil watered. The rooting soil must stay damp the entire time, not soaking wet, but damp, or the cuttings will not take. 

8. Plant - Plant cuttings in the spring after the threat of a hard frost has passed, about 2-3 inches deep and 6-8 feet apart. Pro-Tip: You will have greater success and higher yields if you plant at least two different cultivars. 

How to Grow Elderberries 

Elderberries are hardy perennials in growing zones 3 to 9. Use these expert tips to plant and grow elderberries:

• Location - Elderberries prefer a location with well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. 

• Amend Soil - Add finished compost to the soil before planting. Elderberries can tolerate a range of soil types, but prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH around 6.0. To lower the soil pH, you can amend the soil with sphagnum moss or pelletized sulfur. 

• Plant Spacing - Plant elderberries about 6-8 feet apart, although they do not mind being a little crowded.

• Planting Depth - Plant plugs at the same depth as the original soil line, covering the roots but keeping the stem exposed.

• Water - Elderberries prefer moist soil, so water them regularly, especially during hot, dry periods. You will find that the berries will form better, and plants will have better fruit set with adequate moisture.

• Mulch - Mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Pruning - Elderberries should be pruned annually to remove any dead or damaged wood and to promote new growth. Prune in the late winter or early spring. Pruning out older growth can also make way for newer fruiting wood.

• Harvesting - Elderberries typically ripen in late summer or early fall. Harvest the berries when they are fully ripe and deep purple, almost black, in color. You can use the berries fresh or preserve them by freezing or drying. ***It's important to note that consuming raw elderberries can be toxic, so they should be cooked before consumption.

Kickstart your garden with MIgardener's Spring Dormant Plant Guide. This free resource contains a plant log, harvesting insights, and essential tips for growing dormant plants like berries, asparagus, and rhubarb!

Fertilizing Elderberries

Fertilization of perennial plants is important, and elderberries are no exception. Fertilize elderberries two times a season with a well-balanced fertilizer. 

In the spring, use a fertilizer high in nitrogen to help the plant emerge from dormancy. In the fall, they need adequate amounts of phosphorus and potassium to support root development and winter hardiness. I like to use Trifecta+ for both feedings, but you can use a fertilizer of your choice.

A Simple Recipe For Elderberry Syrup

Eating elderberry syrup is a great way to take advantage of all the health benefits I mentioned earlier. Here is our recipe for making elderberry syrup:

• 1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried elderberries

• 3 cups water

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

• 1 cup honey

Instructions:

1. Rinse the elderberries and remove any stems and leaves. Place them in a saucepan with the water, cinnamon stick, ginger, and cloves.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by about half.

3. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or large measuring cup.

4. Measure the amount of liquid you have and return it to the saucepan. Add an equal amount of honey to the liquid (e.g., if you have 1 cup of liquid, add 1 cup of honey) and stir to combine.

5. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey has dissolved completely.

6. Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. Pour it into a clean glass jar or bottle and store it in the refrigerator.

You can take the elderberry syrup by the spoonful, eat it on pancakes, or mix it with water or tea. It's a delicious way to boost your immune system and ward off cold and flu symptoms.