How Many Elderberry Plants Do I Need? Your Complete Guide to Planning Your Elderberry Patch

Elderberry Varieties to Try

Most gardeners grow either American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) or European elderberry (Sambucus nigra). However, those two main groupings of elderberries contain an assortment of popular elderberry cultivars. If your goal is to harvest fruit, try out some of these popular varieties:

• The plant called “Adams” bears lots of dark berries and is very reliable.
• “York” is another strong grower that will give you a big harvest.
• “Nova” bears berries a little earlier in the season, which is great for people who want their berries quickly.

For pollinator and native plant gardens, opt for elderberry varieties that are native to your particular growing region. However, if you’re looking for that “wow-factor,” these elderberries are particularly noteworthy for their ornamental appeal:

• ‘Black Lace’ is the perfect accent for “goth gardens. ” It’s got deep, dark leaves and pinkish flowers!.
• “Black Beauty” looks and feels a lot like “Black Lace,” and it makes a strong statement in flower beds.
• ‘Lemony Lace’ is ideal for gardeners who love bright colors. This plant has fantastically vivid, greenish-yellow leaves!.

How to Grow Elderberry from Seed and Cuttings

Wild elderberry seeds are naturally sown by birds, but it’s best to grow garden elderberries from pre-started plants or stem cuttings. Germination of elderberry seeds is relatively unreliable and, if elderberries do manage to sprout, they don’t resemble the parent plants. However, growing elderberries from cuttings (or prunings!) is totally do-able!

To grow more elderberries, use pruners to cut 4 to 6” long softwood cuttings in the spring. Softwood is bendable and not as woody as hardwood. Chaisson notes that each cutting should have 2 sets of nodes (that’s where the leaves emerge from the plant stem) and the cuttings should be cut at a 45 degree angle. Then gently strip away any leaves that are growing from the bottom portion of the cuttings.

Cuttings can be propagated in either soil or water. For water propagation, place the cut stems in a clean glass of water so that the stems are submerged but the leaves are kept dry. Place the propagation jar in bright, indirect light. Once the cuttings’ new roots are at least 2″ long, move them into soil.

For soil propagation (Chaisson’s recommended method), plant cuttings in moist potting mix, move them to bright, indirect light and water often to keep the soil moist, not soggy, until the roots emerge. You’ll know the cuttings have rooted when they start to produce new growth and they can’t be easily lifted from the soil.

Grower tip: Chaisson recommends removing elderberry flowers during the first 2 to 3 years after planting “for bigger and more abundant berries in the future!”.

Berry-filled umbels weigh branches down when harvesting time is nigh! Photo courtesy of Christopher Chaisson.

Elderberry plants can be pruned or not – it’s up to you. If you’d like to prune elderberries, late winter to early spring is the time to do it. Prune away dead or damaged stems and suckers and clip back stems by up to 1/3 if you’d like to do a bit of reshaping – remember, elderberries fruit best on new growth, so old stems may become less productive over time!.

Some elderberries are self-pollinating, but the most common elderberry bush varieties are not. Plant at least two elderberries close to each other to get a good harvest, and make sure you choose elderberry varieties that can grow together. Different types of elderberries won’t always be able to cross-pollinate!.

Grower tip: Elderberries have shallow roots that don’t compete well with weeds. Be vigilant about keeping weeds down. A layer of mulch can help!

Elderberries are water-loving plants that grow well in consistently moist, but not soggy, soil. Young plants will usually need to be watered with about 1 to 2” of water per week for the first 1 to 2 years, while established plants may only need supplemental water during dry, hot weather.

In the wild, elderberries grow in the light shade cast by larger trees. But in gardens, these plants do best with full sun to part shade. Fruit set will be best when plants receive at least 6 to 8 hours of light daily.

Elderberries are relatively adaptable and they grow in different types of soil, although they prefer slightly acidic, moist soils with plenty of organic matter. Amending tough soils with compost before planting is generally a good idea.

After planting, elderberries should be fertilized about once a year in early spring with an organic, balanced fertilizer or compost. These plants aren’t heavy feeders, so don’t overdo it!

Grower tip: Chaisson notes that elderberries “can have wet feet, but they do bad in direct clay and compacted soil.” If your garden has heavy clay, amending with compost is advised!

Elderberries are relatively resistant to pests, but they can sometimes attract aphids, voles, deer, moths, borers, scale, and mealybugs. Chaisson recommends utilizing an integrated pest management strategy (IPM) to keep these pests at bay.

Tall fencing is best for preventing deer, while loose tree guards can ward against voles. Companion planting with scented herbs and flowers can do wonders for insects too. Powdery mildew can sometimes infect elderberry plants as well, but this can be avoided by watering elderberries at the soil line and following proper spacing guidelines when planting.

During my first year of growing elderberries, I lost a few of my plants to borers, which drill their way through elderberry stems and leave tiny flakes of sawdust and dead elderberries in their wake. Pruning away dead or damaged elderberry canes and purchasing elderberries from reliable suppliers is the best way to keep these insects away from your plants!

Fresh elderberries look delicious, but always cook them before eating! Photo courtesy of Christopher Chaisson.

Elderberries produce clusters of white flowers (aka elderflowers) from early to mid-summer, which can be harvested in small quantities for potpourri making and other crafts. Just don’t harvest too many elderflowers from your shrubs, as this can impair fruiting!

Later in the season, elderflowers mature into dark purple to near-black elderberries, which are generally harvested from July to September, depending on the elderberry variety. Chaisson notes that elderberries are ready when the “umbels (berry clusters) are drooping and upside down, have turned purple” and have become slightly soft.

Clip the entire cluster of berries from the plant with pruners and gently separate the berries from the stems before giving them a good wash. “You can use a 1/2 to 5/8 inch stainless steel hardware cloth to separate berries from the umbels and drop them into rinse water,” says Chaisson. “Alternatively you can freeze the berry-filled umbels and then sift off most of the umbels by tumbling or passing them through a screen.”

Fresh elderberries don’t last long, so be sure to use these tart berries right away or freeze or dehydrate them. Dried elderberries are often used for syrups, sauces, and jams. Just keep in mind that elderberries always need to be cooked properly before use as raw elderberries (or raw dried elderberries!) can be toxic.

Foraging tip: If you’d prefer to forage for wild elderberries rather than growing plants in your garden, that’s an option too! Wild elderberries are smaller and not quite as sweet as cultivated elderberries, but they have a similar look. Just make sure to invest in a good plant identification guide as elderberries do have a few non-edible lookalikes.

Growing Elderberry! What you need to know!

FAQ

Do you need more than one elderberry plant?

Planting at least two will increase cross-pollination and berry harvest. Elderberries are wind-pollinated and should be planted no more than 60 feet from each other.

How many elderberry plants per person?

For the best fruit production, you should plant at least two elderberry plants, preferably more, of different cultivars that get along well with each other. This ensures cross-pollination, which significantly increases berry yield.

How close together can you plant elderberry bushes?

Plant elderberries 6-8 feet apart in rows 10 feet apart. Plant 2 inches deeper than grown in the nursery. Water the plant thoroughly.

How long does it take an elderberry plant to produce fruit?

American elderberries produce fruit on stems that are at least one-year-old, and many cultivars also produce fruit on new shoots that develop from the crown ….

How many elderberry bushes do I Need?

Commercial growers usually need at least 50 plants or more. Plant spacing – Elderberry bushes can grow up to 10 feet wide and tall. To allow enough space between plants, experts recommend spacing them at least 5-6 feet apart. Pollination needs – Most elderberries require cross-pollination between different cultivars for fruit set.

How many plants do you need to grow elderberries?

Intended use for the berries – If you plan to use elderberries for just occasional snacking and desserts, 2-5 plants may be sufficient. But you’ll need at least 5–10 plants if you want to make a lot of juice, wine, or jam with the berries. Commercial growers usually need at least 50 plants or more.

How much space do elderberries need?

Leave 6 to 8 feet of space between each elderberry plant, or 10 feet between rows of plants. Two types of plants that can pollinate each other should be within 60 feet of each other if you want to grow fruit. You need two different varieties of elderberries from the same genus to get fruit.

Do elderberry bushes produce more berries?

However, they produce more berries, and more reliably, if a different plant pollinates them. If you aren’t interested in harvesting a large crop of berries, then you can plant as many or as few elderberry bushes as you want. On the other hand, if you’re a big fan of elderberry jam, then you’ll need at least two.

How many types of elderberries do you need to produce fruit?

For fruit production, you should have two types of plants that can pollinate each other within 60 feet of each other. You need two different varieties of elderberries from the same genus to get fruit. This means two different types of Sambucus Nigra or Sambucus Canadensis for cross-pollination and a fruit-bearing crop.

How much water do elderberry bushes need?

When growing elderberries, remember that the bushes require about an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm.) of water each week. Therefore, if summertime comes and you find that you are running into periods of no rain, be sure to water them often. The first two years after planting elderberry bushes, you should let them grow wildly.