North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Caren Kirk <quirky@videotron.ca>]

I just returned from a trip back home to the UK where I totally overdosed on Elderflower EVERYTHING (cordial, syrup, even eldeerflower cheesecake). I literally couldn't get enough, everywhere we went someone was getting me to taste their homemade products.

 

I've always been a fan of elderberry juice, so now I am convinced that I want to try planting them here to see if I can reap the benefits of both the flowers and the berries.

 

I thought I had an elder growing wild in the wet area at the back of my lot, which I had never really investigated much . It certainly has very similar flowers, however their scent seems nothing like that delicious fragrance of the flowers I've been enjoying in the UK. However I may have missed their peak at the beginning of the season. The shrub is about 6 to 7ft very "leggy" and growing in a very wet site under other taller trees. Not sure if it bears black berries but if so these don't seem to be very popular with the birds.

 

Does anybody have experience with elders for their flowers or berries? Could you help me in identifying my plant? Could anyone suggest which elders might be good for flower and fruit production for zone 3/ 4 (for example is Sambucus Canadiensis OK)?

 

Any advice gratefully appreciated.

 

Caren Kirk

St. Jerome, QC