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Talkback: Elderflowers

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
in Talkback
There is some on this site: www.best4plants.co.uk/. Might be worth emailing them to see if they will do you some cuttings.
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  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    An interesting way to propagate wild fruiting plants is to stretch a tight line across a piece of vegetable garden. The birds come and perch on the line and do their business. If you leave the ground alone the next year up will pop lots of hawthorns and elderberries etc.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    James, I find it a stupid comment that eldeflower is a weed, it's got herbal properties and it is no weed whatsoever!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I was very proud to see that I have both the varieties of Sambucus mentioned in your blog. I've obviously 'arrived' as a 'real' gardener! I planted them about 3 years ago when I decided the garden needed more stuctural and foliage interest. They are indeed lovely plants. I find the dark one needs more restraint than the golden to keep its shape but is easily managable. My golden specimen doesn't produce flowers - is this always the case? The flat plates of flower on the dark plant are stunning. It's also fun to consider which plants to put near them to provide contrast and colour.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Re: Is there any where that I can get elderflower seeds or cuttings from?

    Obviously the easiest place is to look in hedgerows. Elder is currently in flower so the plants are easy to spot, there's a chance you may also find seedlings around (birds spread the seeds through their droppings). If you're looking for raised specimiens try google, I'm sure there are places out there you can order from.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I have a large elderflower bush and last year used some of the berries with other fruit in a pie, and it was delicious. So you may want to try this.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Can you make cordial from the dark variety you mentioned or does it have to be the wild one?
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Hi John, You can make cordial from the darker variety - the slight pink tinge in the flowers will transmit itself to the cordial.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    can you make elderflower champagne from the black lace variety?
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Jo: You can.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I have just started a batch. It's already very pink. Should be interesting...
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