identifying elderflowers ?

[the big lebowski]

hi all,i am looking to make some elderflower wine and im having abit of trouble ,ive found some plants that look like them flower head wise ,same type of pettles ,but the leaves are diferent and they seem to be flowering early ,the plants more like small trees are about 8 ft tall and have lots of flowers ,i live in bedford uk anyone got any thoughts?
any advice welcome ,cheers

[veggiechicken]

A photo would help! They do grow to tree size if that helps.

[Stan79]

How to identify elderflower | Green Living | Gemma Garner

[sparrow100]

Elderflowers are only just coming out down here - I'd expect them to be a little later further north.

[veggiechicken]

Hawthorn is covered in white blossom at the moment. Is this what you've seen?

[the big lebowski]

10 4 vc i`ll get my skates on and get down there today and put some photos on later this eve,cheers

[veggiechicken]

If you run your hand down the branches and it hurts (thorns) its hawthorn.
If your hand smells slightly unpleasant after handling a young green shoot, its elder

[the big lebowski]

hi there are no thorns on the plant

[Nicos]

for a comparison....
elderflower looks like a small bouquet...



hawthorn bouquets would be the right size for a buttonhole...

[Nicos]

There are thousands of hawthorn bushes in full flower all along the sides of the motorways and A roads we went along yesterday...it made me decide I really do want to buy some for hedging later on in the year !

[Gilberd]

You also need to make sure when you pick elderflowers that it has a nice floral smell and not has a hint of what can only be described as cat pee. Steer clear of the whole tree if the latter as your wine can take on this. Have learnt this mistake!

[the big lebowski]

hi all thanks for the replys ,ive been down with a freind and he says its pyracantha so a false alarm there but cheers for the replys

[veggiechicken]

Pyracantha champagne doesn't sound very appetising
Keep looking out for those elders - won't be long now.

[the big lebowski]

ha ha no it doesnt, fingers crossed i`ll get some ,cheers

[nx4737]

Can any of you kind people confirm these are Elderflower or not before I pick some?

Thanks, Adam.