SambucusSambucus

Sambucus

Sambucus

1. elder

1. elder

1. Sambucus

1. Tracheophytes
2. Angiosperms
3. Eudicots
4. Asterids

Moschatel family

Elder is a fast-growing native shrub valued for its edible flowers and berries. It is robust, easy to care for, and offers valuable ecological benefits. Ideal for naturalistic gardens and for producing juices, syrups, and jellies.

1. TaskPflanzen von jungen Pflanzen oder Stecklingen

   Label

   Plant young plants or cuttings

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 3

   ConditionBoden ist bearbeitbar

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Choose a well-draining location.

2. TaskSchnittmaßnahmen zur Formgebung und Anregung des Wachstums

   Label

   Pruning for shaping and stimulating growth

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 3

   ConditionRuhephase

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Remove dead or damaged branches. Cut back inward-growing shoots.

1. TaskMulchen zur Feuchtigkeitsspeicherung und Unkrautunterdrückung

   Label

   Mulch for moisture retention and weed suppression

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionBoden ist feucht

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Use organic mulch materials like bark chips or compost.

2. TaskPflanzen von jungen Pflanzen oder Stecklingen

   Label

   Plant young plants or cuttings

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionBoden ist bearbeitbar

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Choose a well-draining location.

1. TaskKontrolle auf Schädlinge und Krankheiten

   Label

   Check for pests and diseases

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionWachstumsperiode

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Watch for aphids or fungal infections.

1. TaskKontrolle auf Schädlinge und Krankheiten

   Label

   Check for pests and diseases

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionWachstumsperiode

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Watch for aphids or fungal infections.

2. TaskBewässerung bei Bedarf, besonders in Trockenperioden

   Label

   Water as needed

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionTrockenheit

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

1. TaskErnte der Blüten

   Label

   Harvest flowers

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionBlütezeit

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Best harvested on a dry morning.

2. TaskBewässerung bei Bedarf

   Label

   Water as needed

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionTrockenheit

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

1. TaskErnte der Beeren

   Label

   Harvest berries

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionReife

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Berries are ripe when deeply colored and easily detach from the plant.

2. TaskBewässerung bei Bedarf

   Label

   Water as needed

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionTrockenheit

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

1. TaskPflanzen von jungen Pflanzen oder Stecklingen

   Label

   Plant young plants or cuttings

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionBoden ist bearbeitbar

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Choose a well-draining location.

2. TaskErnte der Beeren

   Label

   Harvest berries

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionReife

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Berries are ripe when deeply colored and easily detach from the plant.

3. TaskHerbstschnitt zur Förderung der Fruchtbildung im nächsten Jahr

   Label

   Autumn pruning to encourage next year's fruiting

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionNach der Ernte

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Remove old or weak shoots.

1. TaskPflanzen von jungen Pflanzen oder Stecklingen

   Label

   Plant young plants or cuttings

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionBoden ist bearbeitbar

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Choose a well-draining location.

2. TaskHerbstschnitt zur Förderung der Fruchtbildung im nächsten Jahr

   Label

   Autumn pruning to encourage next year's fruiting

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionNach der Ernte

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Remove old or weak shoots.

1. TaskRückschnitt verblühter Triebe, falls nötig

   Label

   Cut back spent flower stalks if necessary

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 11

   ConditionNach der Blüte

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   This can help improve appearance and encourage new bud formation.

Full sun to partial shade

Sheltered to moderately windy

Prefers a location with good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Loamy, humus-rich, well-draining

Does not tolerate waterlogging. Improve heavy soil with compost and sand.

Regularly, especially during dry periods and fruit development

Deep and thorough to encourage root growth.

Avoid shallow watering, which can lead to shallow roots.

Organic fertilizer, compost

Once annually in spring

A spring application of compost is usually sufficient. A balanced liquid fertilizer can be used if needed.

Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can promote vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.

Plan sufficient space due to size and rapid growth. Well-suited for hedges or as a specimen shrub.

1. Aphids
2. Spider mites

1. Fungal diseases (rust, mildew, wilt)
2. Bacterial infections

1. Choose a suitable location with good drainage and adequate sunlight.
2. Ensure good air circulation around the plant.
3. Keep the plant healthy through balanced nutrition and proper watering.
4. Regularly remove dead or diseased plant parts.
5. Inspect the plant regularly for early signs of pests or diseases.
6. Avoid over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen.
7. Disinfect pruning tools between uses.

Accurate diagnosis often requires examining the symptoms, location of infestation, and environmental conditions. If in doubt, it is advisable to consult an expert or send in samples.

1. Slugelder_rust

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. High humidity
   2. Moderate temperatures
   3. Poor air circulation

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves
   2. Young shoots

   Prevention

   1. Good air circulation
   2. Remove infected leaves
   3. Resistant varieties

   Organic control

   1. Sulfur-based fungicides
   2. Plant strengtheners
2. Slugpowdery_mildew

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Drought with high humidity
   2. Poor air circulation
   3. High nitrogen levels in soil

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves
   2. Stems
   3. Flowers

   Prevention

   1. Good air circulation
   2. Balanced fertilization
   3. Remove infected parts

   Organic control

   1. Baking soda spray
   2. Milk spray
   3. Plant strengtheners
3. Slugverticillium_wilt

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Moist, heavy soils
   2. High soil temperatures
   3. Stress from drought or over-fertilization

   Affected parts

   1. Entire plant
   2. Shoots
   3. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Good drainage
   2. Resistant varieties
   3. Soil improvement

   Organic control

   1. No direct biological control possible; removal of the plant is often necessary.

1. Symptom

   Yellow-orange pustules on leaf undersides, yellow spots on leaf topsides.

   Possible causes

   1. elder_rust

   First checks

   1. Check humidity and air circulation.
   2. Remove infected leaves.
2. Symptom

   White, powdery coating on leaves and stems.

   Possible causes

   1. powdery_mildew

   First checks

   1. Improve air circulation.
   2. Check for drought stress.
3. Symptom

   One-sided wilting of shoots, leaf loss.

   Possible causes

   1. verticillium_wilt

   First checks

   1. Check soil moisture and drainage.
   2. Prune affected branches and disinfect tools.
4. Symptom

   Sticky shoots and leaves, visible small insects.

   Possible causes

   1. aphids
   2. elder_shoot_aphid

   First checks

   1. Identify the type of aphid.
   2. Rinse with water or use a mild soap solution.
5. Symptom

   Fine webbing on leaves, yellowish stippling.

   Possible causes

   1. spider_mites

   First checks

   1. Increase humidity.
   2. Wash the plant with water.

1. Leaf-out: Spring (March-April)
2. Flowering: Late spring to early summer (May-June)
3. Fruit ripening: Late summer to autumn (August-October)

The exact timing of leaf-out, flowering, and fruit ripening can vary depending on the cultivar and site conditions.

Annually, as soon as flowers or berries are ripe.

1. Flowers: Fully open, fragrant, harvested on a dry morning.
2. Berries: Deeply colored (depending on variety), easily detach from the cluster.

Process or dry flowers immediately. Handle berries carefully as they are delicate. Store chilled or process.

Cool, dry, dark for dried goods; process fresh or refrigerate.

Dried flowers: up to 1 year. Processed products: depending on type (e.g., syrup several months, jam up to 2 years).

1. Flowers: Tea, syrup, liqueur, fritters.
2. Berries: Juice, syrup, jelly, jam, wine, liqueur, pie filling.

1. Flowers
2. Ripe berries (cooked)

1. Raw berries (mildly toxic)
2. Leaves
3. Stems
4. Roots

Raw elderberries contain sambunigrin, which can cause gastrointestinal upset. They are safe after cooking. Leaves, stems, and roots are toxic.

Not recommended for raw berries. Flowers can be used raw in drinks or desserts, but are more commonly cooked or dried.

Elder is typically cultivated as a shrub or small tree and does not require a specific rootstock. Shaping is achieved through pruning.

Elder is an important food source for insects (bees, hoverflies) and birds (berries). It provides habitat and shelter for various animal species. Its flowers are a vital nectar source.

In spring, elder sprouts vigorously. This is the best time for planting and pruning for shaping and rejuvenation. An application of compost supports growth.

In early summer, elder flowers and attracts insects. The flowers can be harvested for syrup or tea. The berries begin to develop.

In late summer and autumn, the berries ripen. They can be harvested and processed into juices, jellies, or wines. Birds appreciate the fruits as a food source.

In late winter, it is the ideal time for renewal pruning. The shrub is now leafless, and the cut surfaces are clearly visible.