Creating and collecting prime elderflowers for a delightful cordial, and these blooms also enhance garden aesthetics.
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British Natives: The Fascinating Elderflower
Hey there, gardening enthusiasts! Let's dive into a captivating chat about the elderflower, our domestic daredevil that thrives in the damp nooks and hedges of the UK. This glorious bloom enchants us with its fragrant show during the heart of summer.
Elderflower: A Factfile
What - These spring-blooming shrubs and small trees don an array of compound leaves with serrated leaflets and panicles of scented flowers. Each flowery panicle is followed by clusters of anthocyanin-rich drupes, commonly known as elderberries, which come in a variety of colors, typically red, purple, but sometimes green or yellow. The elderflower genus, Sambucus, counts 22 deciduous, primarily woody species within the Viburnaceae family.When - These versatile plants sport blooms mainly in spring and early summer, and fruit between late summer and early autumn.Size - Ranging from 45cm to 7m in height and 45cm to 5m in width, these plants prefer rich soil with moisture and enjoy a warm, sunny location.Origins - Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, Sambucus has a few outlying species in South America and Australasia.Hardiness - Hardy as hell with an RHS hardiness rating of H6-H7, these plants stand tall in gardens across USDA zones 3a to 10b.Growth Limitations - Capable of withstanding temperatures below -20°C, some cultivars may be harmed by late frost.
While some plants are celebrated for their alluring scent, visually stunning flowers, or graceful form, the elderflower often falls under the gardening radar despite its obvious attributes. Similarly forgiving plants like lilac and viburnum are celebrated, but the hedgerow-chic elderflower has failed to gain the same admiration.
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But these plants have little to complain about, being relatively pest-free, and nearly indestructible as long as they receive moisture and sunlight. Historically, their edible flowers and fruit have been harvested from wild or hedgerow specimens and utilized in various cordials and fermented beverages. However, with the emergence of new, ornamental cultivars, elderflowers are growing in popularity as a garden subject, and the National Collection of Sambucus, located at Cotswold Garden Flowers in Worcestershire, boasts more than 147 different cultivars.
Despite its culinary heritage, the elderflower contains cyanogenic glycosides, which need to be cooked out before consumption. Raw consumption of any part of the plant, including the fruit, can lead to severe discomfort, dizziness, and vomiting. Having said that, elderflower champagne, cordial, and sorbet continue to be emblematic, making them cherished additions to our gardens and tables.
Naturally found in hedgerows and nutrient-rich, damp locations, elders flourish in heavy, damp soil. They tolerate cold and wind well, thriving even in exposed locations but also growing well in lower levels within woodland-edge settings.
To catch the most fragrant and flavorful blooms, timing is crucial. The flowers attract pollinators with their scent at around one o'clock in the morning, making this the optimal time for harvesting, though they retain their fragrance and flavor until early dawn before deteriorating.
Crushed and cooked, the berries can transform into hearty country wines or cordials, or an anthocyanin-filled tonic, claimed to soothe sore throats.
How to Cultivate Elderflower
Tough and simple to grow, these plants mind their own business and thrive even in sub-optimal conditions, but they excel with some care. A sunny spot will result in a robust, flower-laden specimen, while shade is tolerable, but growth will be slower.
Naturally found in hedgerows and nutrient-rich, damp soil, elders enjoy rich, well-draining soil with a fairly neutral pH, disliking acidic and actively boggy areas. They struggle in light, free-draining sand or thin, chalky soil.
Planting in the winter, when the plants are dormant, gives them time to establish before the growing season. If planted in growth, ensure regular watering and avoid letting the plants dry out.
Dig a spacious hole and enrich it with a handful of phosphate-rich, slow-release fertilizer. Loosen the roots, if needed, and place the plant at its original height. As the roots learn to break out into the surrounding soil, fill the hole with soil, firm it around the roots, and water generously with a good soak. Mulching is optional.
Yearly pruning helps keep these plants tidy and encourages growth. In lighter soil, prune no more than a quarter of the wood or less if water scarcity has been an issue. In heavy, damp soil, pruning up to two-thirds of the stems encourages renewed growth.
Propagation is simple. Softwood cuttings can be taken in early summer, and hardwood cuttings can be taken in early winter. Seeds can be harvested from ripe berries and sown in pots of compost.
Problems with Elderflower
These plants face few problems but have some specific vulnerabilities. Drought can be detrimental and prolonged periods of drought may kill the plant. Additionally, extreme pH conditions can cause issues. Red spider mites are the main pest concern, particularly during dry seasons, but natural predators can provide biological control. Blackfly infestations can occur but usually do not pose a severe problem. Overharvesting flowers can exhaust the plant, so pick no more than a third of the flowers in any given year to ensure the tree remains healthy and cordial production continues.
- The elderflower, a native plant in the UK, adds a captivating scent to summer gardens, often overlooked despite its alluring attributes.
- With a rich history in cooking and gardening, the elderflower has edible flowers and fruit that have been traditionally used in various cordials and beverages.
- Just like other plants, elderflowers flourish in sunlight and moisture, favoring rich, well-draining soil, and tolerating cold and wind well.
- Elderberries, the fruit of the elderflower, are rich in anthocyanins, and when cooked, can transform into hearty wines, cordials, or a health-benefiting tonic.
- Timing is crucial for harvesting elderflowers, as they attract pollinators and emit their strongest fragrance at one o'clock in the morning.
- To cultivate elderflowers, dig a spacious hole, enrich it with fertilizer, plant at the original height, and water generously. yearly pruning encourages growth and helps maintain the health of these resilient plants.
