In the Garden
Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener
One of the most celebrated native berries in recent times is the American elderberry, Sambucus candensis. An examination of botanicals in a pharmacy or health food store will turn up several products containing extracts of this plant. In addition to the berries, which are actually drupes, the leaves, stems, flowers and roots are often used to manufacture concoctions that are sold to address many health problems. Many cold and flu medications contain Sambucus, as do many medications for inflammation and balancing blood-sugar levels. However, I recommend leaving these applications to trained pharmacists and herbalists, as many parts of the elderberry plant contain toxins.
The unripe berries may have low levels of toxins, but ripe elderberries are fine, especially after they have been cooked. Elderberries have been used for making syrups, jellies, wine and confections. They are low in calories and contain many nutrients, being especially high in antioxidants.
I have to confess that my favorite food from the elderberry plant comes before the berries appear. I love to dip the flower clusters in batter and deep-fry them. I have also had a simple syrup made by infusing the flowers in boiling water and adding sugar. That syrup may be used as a glaze on cakes and cookies.
Like the brambles, elderberries may become a nuisance to farmers. The seeds are often dropped by birds, and they spread by root suckers to form thickets. However, the root systems are not extensive, so it is easy to pull them out in the spring.
Elderberries do best in full sun and in moist, well-draining soil. Their shallow roots mean they suffer during periods of drought, but they also do not want to be in standing water. They will grow in partial shade, but berry production is usually adversely affected by the lower light.
Elderberries are susceptible to some fungal diseases, but plants rarely die from these diseases. If you see elderberry plants that look diseased, cut them to the ground and remove the diseased foliage. They will usually grow back and be fine. There are some insects that feed on the elderberry foliage, but I have never seen a thicket destroyed by insects. They are a host plant for several moths and butterflies, including the cecropia moth, more commonly known as the giant silk moth, North America’s largest moth. The flowers are a great pollinator food source, attracting moths, butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
Until recently, elderberries have been relegated to the category of road-side weedy plants, but in recent times, they have been included in the landscape. The flower umbrels are very attractive at bloom time and the thickets may be used as a screen. A few years ago, Black Lace, a cultivar of the European Sambucus nigra was widely touted as a replacement for Japanese maples in northern areas. I planted a couple of them, but they lasted a few years and disappeared over winter. More recently, a chartreuse cultivar of Sambucus racemose, has been released in the nursery trade. I have not yet tried them, as they are a little pricey.
The pithy stems of the elderberry also have many uses. I have made many houses for native bees by bundling stems of various diameters. Perhaps my favorite childhood use for elderberry stems was making whistles. I caution you to not try to blow a whistle made from a green stem, as the toxins in the stems may burn your lips. However, as the stem dries, the toxins dissipate, and you may then whistle to your heart’s content.