Elderflower/berry tree?

[SkyChild]

Are elderflowers and elderberries the same species?
Also, do the trees get big or would I be able to keep it as a bush with coppicing or similar?

A friend of mine sent me some home-made elderflower cordial and I thought it would be nice to make my own

[Guest]

They are the flowers/ berries of elder, but yes they refer to the same plant. If you try to keep it as a bush you risk not getting any flowers or berries. The main elder is common elder a big sprawling nuisance hedgerow plant. I think someone on here has said you can get semi behaved varieties. If I find where I saw it I will edit the post.

[libbyloulou]

There's an old railway cutting where i live and 4 yrs ago i planted 3 elderberry bushes there,in the wild really, 2 of them are doing well, i'm hoping to plant autumn bliss when my cuttings take later in the next few months. I'm hoping to build up a wild fruit garden that i can raid every year, and take the grandkids.

[veggiechicken]

Personally, I wouldn't give up valuable garden room to a plant that can easily be found in the wild.
I have elder in my garden, it grows huge and even cutting them down to a stump each year, doesn't stop them. Its a thug Gradually, I'm digging them out but the birds keep resowing them for me.
As NG said, there are ornamental elders - I have one with black leaves and pink flowers - think its called Black Lace and there's a golden leaved one too. Not something you'd grow for elderberry cordial or wine though.

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I envy your problem VC. They are like hen's teeth here.

I hailed from a land of plenty (Glos) and am faced with a veritable dearth (good word Hazel) here in Abertawe. I know of a few to get flowers from but never any fruit.

I purchased some seed and it has been getting some cold stratification in the fridge. Apparently not easy to grow from stored seed.

When you next pull some up VC, tell me and I have them couriered to me!

[veggiechicken]

Next time I see some seedlings I'll let you know David. You're welcome to them!!

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Thanks VC.

[SkyChild]

Thanks folks! I definitely don't have space for anything even mildly thuggish in the tree dept so will have to get good at recognising wild ones so I can raid!

[chrisdb]

I'm growing a variety of American Elder (Sambucus canadensis "York") which is recommended for flower production. The supposed advantage claimed by the supplier is that it's not self fertile, can't be pollinated by the European varieties, and will flower for a very long period if not pollinated. It's also supposed to be smaller (2 - 3m) than European Elder normally grows. So far it's still small, so I guess I'll find out in a few years how accurate the information is, since there are conflicting claims regarding its eventual size especially.

[Ocelot]

I've got Sambucus Nigra Laciniata, Guincho Purple, Black Lace and Black Beauty! They all grow readily from hardwood cuttings and all fruit. The former is more like a tree, though, and grows up rather than out.

[Ben1030]

Elderberries grow wild and are everywhere!

You would be better identifying nearby trees rather than grow one yourself. I used to have one in front of my house i chopped down, they grow fast and look untidy.

I would recommend the both the flowers and berries for wine/sparkling wine.