The   elderberry  ( Sambucus )  plant   is   native   to   North America   and   has   been   used   as   a   healing   plant   for   thousands   of   years .   The   elderberry   is   a   perennial   plant   that   winters   over   here   in   Vermont .   In   their   natural   setting   they   are   found   on   fertile   moist   soils ;  most   often   along   creeks   and   rivers   where   they   help   to   provide   stream   bank   erosion   control .  

They   are   very   tolerant   of   different   soil   conditions   but   will   grow   best   in   a   moist   well   drained   soil   rich   in   organic   matter .  If   the   soil   is   sandy   or   low   in   organic   matter ,  adding   manure ,  compost   or   peat   before   planting   will   increase   moisture   retention   and   provide   needed   nutrients .   It   is   also   important   to   keep   the   base   of   the   plant   free   of   weeds ,  well   mulched   and   moist . 

Elderberry   plants   will   thrive   in   full   sun   if   enough   moisture   is   given   but   can   tolerate   a   partly   shady   spot   as   well .  To   ensure   cross   pollination   by   the   wind ,  honeybees   and   other   pollinating   insects   you   will   need   to   plant   more   than   one   cultivar   together .  The   two   cultivars  ( Berry   Hill   and   Coomer )  should   be   planted   no   more   than  40  feet   apart .   But   any   pair   of   different   cultivars   will   also   work   fine .

The   elderberries   will   bloom   here   in   Vermont   in   late   June   and   set   their   fruit   in   early   September .  It   is   a   good   idea   to   build   a   protective   fence   around   the   young  

elderberry   plants   to   keep   them   safe   from   the   deer .   The   birds   also   love   the   berries   so   you   will   want   to   pick   the   mature   fruit   as   soon   as   they   are   ready . 

Elderberry  ( Sambucus )
Pruning :   

Each   spring   it   is   a   good   idea   to   take   some   time   to   prune   your   elderberry   plants .  Although   with   elderberry   plants   little   pruning   is   needed ,  you   will   have   a   healthier ,  more   robust   and   happier   plant   if   you   do .   Pruning   will   improve   the   overall   fruit   quality   primarily   by   increasing   the   amount   of   sunlight   that   is   able   to   reach   the   tree .  A s   well   as   direct   and   encourage   the   growth   of   your   plants   size   and   shape .  

All   dead ,  broken   and   weak   canes   should   be   cutoff   at   ground   level   before   growth   starts   in   the   spring .   This   will   allow   more   light   to   penetrate   the   live   healthy   branches .  A n   equal   number   of   first ,  second   and   third   year   old   canes   may   be   left .   Canes   older   than  3  years   should   be   removed   to   encourage   the   emergence   of   new ,  more   fruitful   canes .   By   pruning   you   are   also   able   to   encouraging   the   plant   to   grow   upwards   and   not   too   far   out   from   the   base ,  allowing   for   a   stronger  healthier   plant . 

 

Healthy   elderberry   plants   will   send   up   a   number   of   new   canes   each   year .  These   new   shoots   will   reach   full   height   in   one   season .  New   canes   do   not   have   side   shoots  ( laterals )  the   first   year ,  but   often   bear   single ,  late - ripening   clusters .   The   most   fruitful   canes   are   those   in   their   second   year ,  when   they   produce   several lateral   branches .

 

Hardwood   Cuttings :

Cuttings   may   be   made   from   over   wintered   shoots ,  most   often   taken   from   the   pruned   branches .   Vigorous   one - year - old   canes   make   the   best   cuttings   but   even   second   and   third   years   cuttings   work   well . 

The   cuttings   should   be   made   in   early   spring   when   the   buds   of   the   plants   are   just   starting   to   come   alive   and   the   leaves   are   beginning   to   be   formed . 

The   best   time   to   do   these   cuttings   is   in   early   spring   on   a   moist   cloudy   day ,  preferably   after   or   during   a   stretch   of   wet   weather .   If   this   is   not   possible ,  make   sure   the   cuttings   do   not   sit   in   the   direct   sunlight ;  you   may   also   want   to   put   them   upright   in   water   to   be   sure   they   do   not   dry   out .

The   cuttings   are   taken   early ,  before   too   much   energy   is   spent   in   forming   its   leaves ,  this   will   help   re - direct   the   plants   energy   into   creating   a   strong   root   system  

The   stems   are   cut   on   an   angle ,  making   sure   there   are   three   healthy   nodes   available . 

The   cuttings   are   then   simply   planted   vertically   into   pots   or   directly   into   their   permanent   location .  You   will   want   to   place   two   of   the   nodes   underground   and  

one   aboveground .  They   will   take   root   without   any   rooting   hormone .   Be   sure   to   keep   them   moist   and   well   watered .   If   you   are   transplanting   them   into   pots   make   sure   they   are   kept   in   a   partially   shady   area   for   up   to  2  weeks ,  they   will   not   do   well   in   direct   sun .

These   cuttings   will   be   moved   next   spring   and   transplanted   to   there   permanent   location ,  here   they   are   planted   only   about  6  inches   apart .    If   you   are   planting   them   in   a   permanent   location   you   will   want   to   space   them   at   least  6  feet   from  each   other .

This   picture   taken   this   spring  2007