One of the beauties that we are excited to have available again this season is the American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis,) a perennial shrub that grows to be about 6-10 feet tall and produces small purple-black berries (not to be confused with the Red Elderberry - Sambucus racemosa.)
The berries from the common Elderberry have both medicinal and culinary uses, such as syrup, tincture, pies, jams, juice, chutney, vinegar, and wine. The beautiful flowers can also be used to make cordial, added to cakes, and made into a lovely floral tea.
Elderberries are high in antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin A, bioflavonoids, beta carotene, iron, and potassium. The berries need to be cooked or dried before use as the tiny seeds contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside that becomes ineffective when heated.
Elderberry flowers in late spring to early summer with the berries ready to harvest in late summer. They will typically begin producing fruit in the second year after planting if they are thriving where they've been planted. Beneficial insects and pollinators are attracted to the beautiful flowers with the ripe fruits being a great source of food for many different birds and mammals.
Dormant hardwood cuttings, taken during winter, is an easy way to propagate Elderberry plants, which root very easily.
We sell the cuttings in a pack of 5 cuttings for $10.
The cuttings can also be shipped, but within Canada only.
If you are local and would like to pick up your cuttings from our farm, please contact us to arrange pick up. You can either pay for your cuttings prior to pick up through our online shop or etransfer, or you can pay cash at time of pick up.
The cuttings will need to be stored in the fridge in a sealed bag until planting time. The sealed bag will ensure that the cuttings don’t dry out, but they will need to be checked from time to time, adding a few drops of water if they look like they are beginning to dry out.
Once the ground is workable in the spring and the soil has thawed, your elderberry cuttings will be ready to plant. All that you have to do is prep the area prior to planting by loosening the soil, add in some compost, and place the cutting into the soil, pointed cut end facing down, about 2-3 inches deep. Elderberry plants will thrive better if planted in a sunny location with good draining soil that is fertile and moist. And they will fruit more prolifically if planted with at least one other cutting, no more than 60 feet apart.
We will include planting and care instructions with each order.
Dormant cuttings will only be available until April, or until we sell out. Afterwards, we will have potted plants available for farm pick up only.
Let us know if you have any questions or would like to order your own package of Elderberry cuttings!
