Q: Why write about Sambucus?
A: Because they are stunning, serviceable, and one of my favourite plants!
Whether you are growing elder (Sambucus species) for elderberries, medicine, ornament, or just to futher immortalize Monty Python's Holy Grail, if you garden within zones 4 to 9, you will be very happy with the results. Not only do elders flower and fruit profusely in partial shade environments, they grow vigorously no matter how hard you prune them back. While not invasive, Sambucus are very enthusiastic growers. Perhaps it is these merits which hybridizers have considered when coming up with some of the fabulous new varieties on the market. It's about time that the elder got some attention; they've been an up and coming item for a while now...
Pictured above are two types of Sambucus, both grown for ornamental reasons. The finely cut variety is Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland', and the smaller-leaved type is Sambucus nigra 'Aureomarginata'. This leaf scan illustrates only a small portion of the wide variety of Sambucus leaf forms available. Scroll down for more pictures.
Elders are in the honeysuckle family (caprifoliaceae) and have a liking for moist soil, and are helpful in creating a very fine, humous rich soil around their roots. Grow in a woodland setting, near a compost pile, or in a shaded border.
Why are they called elders?
It's old Anglo-saxon name, Aeld, means fire. It's hollow stems with the pith removed, were used for blowing fires.
The genus name Sambucus comes from the latin sambuke, which means a musical instrument. The hollow stems have been used for making simple flutes since ancient times.
Centuries ago, superstition kept people from trimming elders in any way. A Danish story tells of the elder tree mother, Hylde-Moer, a dryad who guarded each tree. Her permission was asked before any wood could be cut. Silence was apparently the affirmative answer. However, she would haunt anyone who had furniture made from elderwood which had not been asked for. Also, Danes wishing to meet the Elfin King and his court stood beneath an elder tree on Midsummer's Eve.
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