Elderberry Sambucus nigra is making a brilliant comeback in the home garden. The traditional wild fruit tree has fought back into our consciousness thanks to its magnificent blossom and rich elderberries. You can find out how to properly plant and care for black elder here.

The preferred location

As a native tree, elderberry Sambucus nigra is perfectly adapted to the regional climate and soil conditions. Black elderberry is therefore one of the most common types of shrubs. It develops its optimum under the following site conditions:

  • a sunny position to light shade
  • nutritious soil, rich in valuable humus
  • likes airy and permeable
  • preferably not too dry, but fresh and moist
  • tolerant of moderate lime content

Planting season is twice a year

Flexibility is a key trait of elderberry Sambucus nigra. This also applies to choosing the right planting date. In autumn, the tree quickly spreads its roots in the sun-warmed soil and has established itself well in time for winter. If you miss this time, plant black elderberry in early spring from March/April.

Step-by-step instructions on how to plant properly

Before the actual planting is started, the root balls take place in a container with water. Here they should be soaked until no more air bubbles rise. Meanwhile, the following work is taking place at the selected location:

  • weed the soil meticulously and cleaned of roots or stones
  • loosen the soil 1-2 spades deep
  • enrich the bed soil with sifted compost and horn shavings
  • create a planting pit with twice the volume of the root ball
  • insert the potted elderberry Sambucus nigra as deep as it was before
  • fill the planting hole with soil, tread it down and water it

If you plan to plant several specimens, plant one Sambucus nigra elder per meter. Since it is a shallow-rooted plant, its large-scale spread requires sufficient clearance from masonry and paved surfaces. A distance of 200-300 centimeters is recommended in this respect.

Water and fertilize in a balanced way

It is obvious that an imposing elderberry Sambucus nigra is no hunger artist. A sufficient amount of energy is required to produce the enormous biomass. This goes hand in hand with the appropriate water supply, because the wood sometimes reacts quite angrily to dryness. How to water and fertilize in the right amount:

  • if there is no rain, elderberry Sambucus nigra is watered regularly
  • pour the water directly onto the tree disc and not over the blossoms and leaves
  • From March, fertilize every 3-4 weeks with 3-4 liters of compost per square meter
  • additionally administer horn shavings (32.93€) and bedrock meal
  • alternatively apply a mineral long-term fertilizer in March and June

From August, an elderberry Sambucus nigra no longer receives any fertilizer, since sprouting branches no longer mature before winter. They would freeze to death and significantly weaken the plant's resistance. It is important to note that the shrub should be watered on frost-free days in winter. If there is no snow, the black elder is at risk of severe drought stress.

Cut with a plan

An elderberry Sambucus nigra will show acceptable growth even without regular pruning. With a strategically clever pruning, experienced hobby gardeners, on the other hand, lure out a spectacular silhouette, combined with a magnificent blossom and lush berry harvest. Therefore, take a little time for the following protocol of a skillful shape and maintenance cut:

  • the ideal time for pruning is the months after the harvest from November to March
  • Cut off harvested shoots completely or shorten them by two thirds
  • Cut dry, stunted or diseased branches at the base
  • If possible, do not cut young shoots with the buds for the next season
  • too long, thin tails shorten to just above a sleeping eye

A Sambucus nigra elder gets its first cut in the second year after planting, so that it can first develop its natural habit. Then you are free to grow the tree into a standard. This measure is primarily interesting for small gardens. To do this, determine a strong shoot for the main trunk and consistently remove all side shoots up to the desired crown height.

Beautiful varieties

Do you always associate elderberry Sambucus nigra with the creamy-white flowers and the purple-black fruits? Then get to know the decorative varieties to add even more variety to the garden. The 'Black Beauty' strain boasts pink flowers and dramatic brown-red leaves. As a fascinating rarity, the elder Sambucus nigra var. albida comes with delicious, yellow-green berries.

tips and tricks

With each pruning, you have plenty of material in your hands for propagation. In winter, elderberry Sambucus nigra can be bred easily using sticks. Trimmed to a length of 15-20 centimeters, put the woody cuttings three quarters into a pot with peat sand. Watering is only done when the first shoots appear.

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Category:

Vegetable garden