Can anyone recommend a book?

[ancee]

Ill take some more clearer photos! Think I've confused myself and you enough for today! So elder flowers smell horrible but make nice cordial and then the berries are purple and sour but can be cooked and then taste better? Why is this so confusing for me?!!!

[veggiechicken]

The elderflowers smell a bit cats pee-ish - but the leaves and twigs are foul Once you've smelt it, you'll always know elder!!

[Scarlet]

I do t think its elder either! The leaves are wrong and the flowers look a little strange....

[veggiechicken]

Is it Pyracantha - Firethorn?
If its thorny, Ancee, it not Elder

[Scarlet]

My pyracantha isn't in flower yet....

[Scarlet]

Choisya - maybe?

[veggiechicken]

Ahh, right!! That's blown that theory I cut my back so hard last year I can't even find it in amongst the loganberry and honeysuckle
Choisya perfume would be giveaway. Seems an odd plant to be "growing all over the fields" but perfectly right to be in Ancee's b-in-law's garden.
Are you sure its the same plant in both places Ancee?

[Scarlet]

Sorry VC I've just spotted my pyracantha, it is in flower!

[veggiechicken]

Looks like a match for Ancee's to me! What do you think Scarlet?
I'm still not sure about it growing all over the fields though although it can grow from bird scattered seeds. I think Ancee may have elder in the fields and pyracantha in her BIL's garden

[Mikey]

I always think elder flower looks like an umbrella, it has a large flower head canopy held up on stalks. It has a heady scent a bit cat peeish its true. You'll often find it alongside roadsides where it comes into flower while meadowsweet is still out, another similar looking plant.

I just bought another bucket to start making elderflower champagne this morning. I've only got about 75 bottles to fill.

[Scarlet]

I'm agreeing with you this time VC ! Pyracantha in the garden and elder in the fields. Take someone photos Ancee

[ancee]

Yep! I've just help my phone photo up to the screen with your photo on Scarlet, that's what it is! So, of course I have assumed every tall flowering white tiny flowered bush/tree is an elderflower! Good job I haven't tried to poison myself by making cordial! Went to buy citric acid today - as I've seen a recipe online for elderflower cordial - can't get it anywhere! So, it's a good job I didn't find or buy any as I haven't got elderflowers! VC I think the stuff in the fields won't be pyracantha! But before I brew anything I'm really going to check it!

[veggiechicken]

I've just been eyeing up the elder flowers in the garden and thinking about making cordial. Never done it before!! You need 20-30 heads and I may have to go out and find that many. Also its going to rain for the next few days and I think they're supposed to be picked when dry. I don't have citric acid either
Sounds like another year when I don't manage to make any

[chris]

I have some if you want any VC. You can use lemon juice in place of it though..

[ancee]

I've just got some off ebay for 99p. For 500g - you only need 55g for the recipe I've seen. So, either I'm going to go brewing crazy, or I have some if anyone wants some. Well, I will have, when it gets here...