Elder Plants

Sambucus nigra Varieties for Hedge, Wildlife & Ornamental Borders

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Elder as a wild, native plant is usually called Elderflower and Elderberry because the flowers and fruit are a traditional "hedgerow crop", consumed to this day in the form of drinks: sweet Elderflower cordials and herbal medicine Elderberry syrups. Garden varieties are usually referred to as Elder, or Sambucus. 

• Wild Elderflower is a common country hedge plant, it will seed itself, but we do not recommend planting Elder in a mixed species hedge with anything except brambles. As a single species hedge, common Elder is good for dark, wet, or dry trouble corners that won't get much attention.
• Golden Elder and Black Lace Elder are usually hard pruned yearly to produce lush new foliage, in which case you don't get flowers and berries.