Elder (lat. Sambucus nigra L.) is also called zova, zovina, opatovina, bujad, aptika – these are all folk names for elder. This plant has fueled the imagination of various European folklores for centuries, where it often provided refuge for witches and was an indispensable ingredient in magical potions. Today, it is no longer attributed magical properties, but only the magical taste it gives to one of the most popular traditional drinks in Europe – elderberry juice.
It is a frequent encounter on forest roads, meadows and other abandoned places, although sometimes it can also be found next to houses and settlements. Elderberry is therefore certainly one of the most famous wild plants that are often picked by people who normally do not pick and recognize wild plants.
For a long time, due to its beautiful flowers, it was classified in the goat family, which are recognizable precisely because of their colorful bushes. In the end, the genetic research of elderberry placed it in a small family of brambles (Adoxaceae). About 40 species of elder are known, of which three grow in Croatia.
The elder is known for its tiny white flowers, which are grouped into large shield-like inflorescences. It produces berry fruits from dark blue to dark red in color, which together with the flowers are used in cooking and folk medicine. The rest of the elderberry is not used because it is poisonous, and the fruits and flowers should be thermally treated before use to avoid poisoning.
Elderberry was very popular in folk medicine and is considered a medicinal plant, and today a lot of research is being done to confirm its medicinal properties. It is mainly used as an aid in the treatment of flu and colds because it boosts immunity, which is probably due to the content of vitamin C. In cooking, elderberry is mainly used to make juice with a specific and delicate taste, and various foods enriched with elderberry flavor can also be made.
Types of elder
Of the 40 or so known types of elder, only two are used for commercial use, the Black Elder (lat. Sambucus Nigra) and the Canadian Elder (lat. Sambucus Canadensis), which has not become popular in Europe. In Croatia, we come across three species, the Black Elder (lat. Sambucus nigra), the Red Elder (lat. Sambucus racemosa) and Abdovina (lat. Sambucus ebulus).
Black elderberry
Black elderberry is the most famous type of elderberry, the one that is most often harvested wild and ends up in homemade juices. Therefore, it is also called “True Elder” and “Black Call”. This species is very common throughout North America and most of the European continent. It grows in various conditions and is suitable for both wet and dry soils, and is found mainly in areas with a lot of sun. In its original form, it is toxic to mammals, so it should be thermally processed before consumption. Only fruits and flowers are suitable for consumption.
It grows in the form of a bush or bushy tree, and reaches dimensions of 6 m in height and width. Rarely, some specimens can grow up to 10 m. The size of the leaves varies between 5 and 15 cm, they are mostly fivefold, dark green on the upper side and light green and hairy on the upper side. The flowers are characteristically small and white to yellowish-white, with star-shaped, oval petals and a distinctive fragrance, which is the easiest way to distinguish them from other types of thunders of a similar appearance. They are grouped in shield-shaped inflorescences that reach a diameter of up to 20 cm.
The fruits are small black-purple berries, 6-8 mm in size, and have three seeds each. The fruits develop from the flowers and ripen in September, while the flowers for juice are harvested from late May to early August. At the beginning of growth, the tree is mostly gray, and when the plant reaches a certain age, the trunk turns brown, while the branches on the tops take on a lighter gray color.
Red elderberry
The red elderberry is also known as Mountain warbler, Wild warbler, Red warbler, Wild elder, Grozdasta zova, Wild warbler, and is considered an endangered species. It grows naturally in Europe, Asia and North America, and in Croatia it can be found in the area of Velebit, Medvednica, Plješivice, Mala Kapela and Risnjak, which is where the adjective “mountainous” comes from. It grows at altitudes of up to 1,800 m. It occurs most often in mountain forests of beech and fir, and stony soils are also suitable for it. In Croatia, it is much rarer than black elder.
The leaves of the red elder are large and lance-shaped, lighter than the leaves of the black elder, and grow in groups of five to eight leaves on a branch. Its flowers are small, yellowish in color and fragrant. The fruits are slightly poisonous, as are the seeds, and are bright red to dark red in color. The fruits can only be consumed if they are boiled, while the seeds must be removed. The height of this elder varies between 2 – 6 m. It is used as a medicinal plant, but also to repel mice.
Abdovin
Abdovina is also called “Smelly elder” because it is the root of the plant with an unpleasant smell. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows in the forest clearings of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The shrub is much smaller than the other species, and reaches a height of 2 m. The leaves grow opposite and are narrower and elongated, 15 – 30 cm, with 5 – 9 leaves on a branch. At the end of each stem, there are white flowers that are grouped into shield-shaped inflorescences.
Abdovina fruits are small black berries with a diameter between 5 and 6 cm and an ellipse shape. Ripe fruits yield a pink juice that is used as a folk medicine. They bloom from June to August and the berries are ripe at the beginning of autumn.
Elderberry cultivation
Elderberry is fertilized with standard NPK fertilizer and needs to be additionally supplied with nitrogen. Regular watering is necessary for the growth and development of this plant. Although it can be propagated generatively, this method is not recommended, and for commercial purposes the vegetative method is used.
Matching cultures
Elderberry is not recommended to be planted on soil where potatoes, alfalfa, tomatoes, mint or strawberries were previously grown. A year before planting the elderberry, it would be ideal to plant a mixture of clover and grass.
Watering
Elderberry is a plant that needs a lot of water, which is why it is best to plant it on soils that are naturally wetter, and in nature it can often be found along rivers, streams or lakes. After planting, at least 10 l of water must be added to it, and the soil must be mechanically worked often to make it optimally permeable.
Fertilization
In commercial elderberry cultivation, standard fertilization is used, in which between 600 and 800 kg/ha of NPK fertilizer is added annually to the plantations. Nitrogen is specially added twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. The required amount of nitrogen varies between 50 and 80 kg per year.
Propagation
Elderberry can be propagated from seeds, i.e. generatively and vegetatively from cuttings. When planting for commercial purposes, the vegetative method is used, namely mature, green and semi-green cuttings.
Propagation from seeds is generally not practiced because it takes too long and the plant can turn out to be weaker, and it is rarely grown outside of commercial purposes, given that it is very common as a wild plant and is abundant in nature.
Cuttings are taken from one-year-old healthy plants when they are dormant. The length of the cuttings is 20 cm and they are kept in black foil at a temperature of 0°C until planting in the spring. They are planted so that one pair of buds is left on the surface, and the roots begin to develop after approximately 10 days.
Transplantation
Elderberry transplanting is easy because its roots are quite shallow. The entire root ball is transplanted into a hole several times larger than it, then fill the bottom with a mixture of one part compost and one part excavated soil, place the root, cover with soil and mixture and water abundantly.
Rejuvenation
The best time to rejuvenate an elder tree is from late winter to early spring during its dormant phase. Elders can be pruned sharply without risk of damage, which encourages the growth of vigorous new shoots with larger, more colorful leaves. All diseased or damaged shoots or branches must be removed as soon as they become visible in order to keep the tree healthy.
Ground
Elderberry is planted on soils that are supplied with large amounts of water. Its roots grow quite shallow in the ground, so it is crucial that it is not planted in areas threatened by drought. In summer and during fruit growth, it is necessary to provide larger amounts of water. They tolerate a variety of soil conditions, including those that are in poor condition, very wet or extremely chalky, but prefer moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils. One thing elderberry can’t stand is drought.
Climate
Elderberry is one of the plants that have an extremely high need for water. That is why it is often found along the banks of rivers. A suitable habitat is one that has at least 700 mm of precipitation per year. It mostly thrives in areas where the average October temperature is between 7 and 15°C. The winter cold is not a problem for it and it is resistant to temperatures down to -27°C. Due to these conditions, it is found almost everywhere in Croatia. Considering the later flowering period, which is from the end of May to August, it is not harmed even by spring frosts.
Elderberry planting
Elderberry is usually planted in October, although spring planting is also possible. It needs a lot of space and a lot of water to grow and develop. Two-year-old seedlings obtained by the vegetative method are planted. This plant has very shallow roots, which is why it is necessary to turn the soil well and provide it with plenty of water throughout its life.
Planting time
Elderberry is planted in spring or autumn, but it is more recommended to plant in autumn because in that case the root develops better. The optimal temperature for planting elderberry is between 7 and 15°C, which is why the best month for planting is October. Despite the advantages, autumn planting also has its disadvantages, namely the greater danger of the threat of voles. If you go for the variant of spring planting, it is recommended to plant only in hilly and mountainous conditions.
Choosing the substrate for planting
Due to the large pith cavity in elderberry stems, grafting or grafting is difficult and it is recommended to grow them from cuttings, although lateral grafting to one-year-old seedlings can be successful. Half-ripe cuttings or softwood cuttings (best when the new shoots are not yet mature) should have their ends plugged (you can use rose thorns) to prevent rotting (or you can try nodal cuttings).
Planting seeds
Although trees are not usually planted from seed, but healthy cuttings are taken, the elder tree can be successfully grown from seed. It is necessary to choose healthy seeds and 50% compost without mold or peat and 50% horticultural sand. For each handful of seeds, add 2 or 3 handfuls of a mixture of peat and sand. Then choose a container that has enough room for development and the amount of mixture and put a layer of stones on the bottom of the container. The stones are covered with sand, then a mixture of seeds and soil and watered abundantly.
Planting seedlings
When it is propagated vegetatively, it is necessary to wait at least two years from the beginning of the development of the cuttings until they are transplanted. One-year-old cuttings will start developing the crown too quickly, while the root will remain too weak.
After tilling the soil by plowing and discing, it is necessary to remove perennial weeds and dig holes about twenty centimeters deep. The holes are filled with manure or compost, which is covered with 3-5 cm of soil. Then the elderberry seedlings are placed and the roots are covered with loose soil, which must be pressed or tamped down well so that the elderberry can take root.
Elderberry is usually planted at intervals between 4 and 5 m within a row and up to 5 – 6 m between rows. After planting, the elder should be watered with a minimum of ten liters of water. It is advisable to provide a support for the seedlings, such as stakes or posts.
Cultivation in the garden
Elderberry is grown outdoors only in moist but well-drained soil that receives full sun. The elderberry seedling is transplanted in the spring in order to develop large leaves and later maintain a bushy appearance. Elderberry seedlings planted outside need to be mulched with manure or leaf mold every year.
Cultivation in a greenhouse
Elderberry is not a picky plant and tolerates many different weather conditions well, so it does not need to be grown in a greenhouse because it needs an open area with a lot of daily sun for quality development and growth.
Cultivation in containers
Elder plants need a fairly large container to develop and grow well. For best results, choose a container at least 60 cm wide and at least 50 cm deep. Elderberry has shallow roots, so it is more important that the container be wider than deeper. A wide container enables the development and spread of the roots, which will support and feed the plant.
It is always necessary to check the expected height and spread of the species to be planted and choose the size of the pot accordingly. However, bigger is better. A large container with a heavy base will keep the plant stable as it matures.
Maintenance and care
Elderberry develops shallow roots and needs a lot of water, which is why it needs regular irrigation. It is equally necessary to regularly prune and shape the plant into a tree, because in the bushy form there may be a weaker development of the branches and their cracking.
Resting phase
Elderberry survives cold winters by having a dormant phase, which is a gradual process that begins well before winter. As temperatures drop during autumn, growth slows down and chlorophyll production decreases, and the leaves begin to change color.
However, lack of growth and dead leaves do not mean that the elder has actually overwintered. Considering that during the early autumn, trees are still in a pre-dormant state or cut branches can still be stimulated to sprout. The pre-dormant phase is not only caused by the lengthening of the night, but also by other stresses, such as drought. Trees that we notice are losing their leaves in the middle of summer are under stress. They shut down their metabolic activity and go into a pre-dormant state to start growing again if conditions become favorable again.
Plantation maintenance
Considering that the elder tree needs a large amount of water, the first few years it is necessary to cultivate the soil shallowly in order to maintain optimal humidity. Considering that it develops very shallow roots on its own, the plants planted next to it also bother it, so it is necessary to mow regularly. After mowing, the grass can be left on the surface as a fertilizer supplement. Young plants are very sensitive to herbicides, which is why only mechanical tillage against competing roots is recommended.
Thinning
The elder tree needs to be thinned for health reasons, but also to maintain the overall appearance. It is also important to thin the branches to ensure continuous fruiting. The goal is to allow the tree to grow wild within the first 2-3 years of growth, except for cutting damaged or dead shoots. After that, thinning the older branches will allow the propagation of younger ones that produce better quality fruits.
Pruning
Elderberry can grow as a bush or as a tree, and for commercial use it is better to form a tree, because the branches bend too much in the bushy form. Elderberry shaping begins already in the first year of cultivation. Then the shoots are defined, which will later develop into the base of the crown, and they are shortened to two internodes. Most of the saplings are removed until they reach a height of 10 – 15 cm, especially those that grow from the trunk, and 4 – 6 saplings are allowed to develop. The tops of the shoots are shortened by 20% in the spring of the following year, and the new shoots from the first vegetation are completely removed. In the same way, new 4 – 6 saplings are grown during the second growing season.
In the third year of the plant’s growth, all shoots that gave birth in the previous two years are removed, leaving only new shoots that have developed on two-year-old branches. In the event that not enough new, one-year shoots have developed, two-year branches are also left. Regular pruning continues from the third year.
Harvest
Both fruits and flowers are used, so elderberry harvesting can take place in different periods. They bloom from the end of May to August, and the flowers for making juice and tea are best picked right at the end of May. The flowers are harvested by cutting the entire stem on which the flowers are gathered. Elderberries must be harvested on dry and warm days, and never after rain. The flowers can be dried by hanging them in a draft, and they can be stored dry for up to 12 months, in a dry and dark place.
Elderberry fruits are harvested in September when they take on a deep blue hue. Due to the longer flowering period, they do not ripen uniformly, so the harvest takes place on several occasions. Unripe fruits are not harvested because they are poisonous. The petioles are also poisonous, so the fruit must be separated from them before processing.
Drying
One of the best ways to preserve and later consume elderberries is to dry them. Berries are ripe when they turn dark purple to black, and unripe when they are green and pale purple. Elderberry is not difficult to harvest – kitchen shears are used for this. After the ripe berries are picked, it is necessary to place them in a clean container and remove all unnecessary parts such as leaves and flowers as gently as possible to prevent spoilage. Then wash the berries with clean water and gently rinse each berry and leave on paper towels to remove excess water.
There are various ways to dry elderberries – in the sun, in a dehydrator or in the oven. All three methods are effective, but differ in terms of drying time. Drying the berries in the sun usually takes three days, and the drying time can be longer or shorter depending on the weather, and it is best to dry them in the sun during the summer.
Drying berries in a dehydrator usually takes 4-5 hours at 57°C, but the temperature can vary depending on the device used, while drying berries in the oven can be done in two ways: leave them in the oven to dry or use the remaining heat from the oven. The drying time is about 15 – 30 minutes.
Storage
If used in dried form, elderberry must be stored in well-closed jars or bags in a dark and cool place where it can stand for up to a year. However, the flowers are most often processed immediately after picking, and are boiled and preserved in the form of juice, syrup or wine.
Berries are most often used to make jams and preserves, and they can also be preserved in compote. However, squeezing them into juice or other drinks is perhaps the most common. With the addition of a preservative (which is usually sugar), berries as well as flowers achieve a long shelf life.
Preparation for the next season
Due to the shallowness of the roots, before planting, the soil must be prepared by plowing to a depth of approximately 40 cm. It is recommended to plow in August if the soil is being prepared for autumn planting. Before planting, it is necessary to plate. Lighter, sandy loam soils are recommended for transplanting elderberry.
Diseases
Elder is a fairly resistant plant and rarely suffers from diseases, and the most common diseases are fungal diseases that can damage the plantations.
Numerous fungi can cause diseases on the elder, but fungal diseases are extremely rare. They manifest as a change in the color of leaves, flowers or fruits, or other deformations on the plant, even rotting. If any changes are noticed, that part of the plant should be cut off and destroyed as soon as possible. Otherwise, it is not recommended to treat elderberry with fungicides, although it is possible to do it. The best way to protect elderberry against fungal diseases is to allow good ventilation of the plantations.
Pests
The most common pests of elderberry are aphids and red nettle mites. However, they do not cause significant economic damage to plantations, which is why elderberry is extremely favorable for ecological cultivation, which is recommended in its case. A greater danger from pests is represented by numerous species of birds that feed on its fruits.
Aphids
Aphids are very small, between 2 and 4 mm in size. They cause great damage to various plants, especially fruit trees. They reproduce quickly and can have a large number of generations. They most often attack young leaves and juicy parts of plants. Those weak plants on which they are found should therefore be suppressed as soon as possible. In addition, they can transmit viruses to the plant. They most often occur during warm weather, between 20 and 28°C, when the air is relatively humid.
Plants that serve as natural lice repellants are coriander, garlic, onion, calendula and lavender. In organic cultivation, these plants can be planted between rows of plantations.
Red nettle mites
They are also called “Red Spider”, although they are usually yellow or orange in color, but depending on the plant they feed on, they can also be greenish or bright red. Their size varies between 0.3 and 0.6 mm, and they have 4 pairs of legs. They mostly appear when the weather is dry and warm, and their season is from mid-summer onwards. In the adult form, they can overwinter, and in the case of a warm summer, they continue to reproduce.
They appear on the plant as tiny white dots, and the leaves look mottled and like marble. Eventually, the attacked leaves dry up and fall off. Due to the fact that these lice are less mobile, they spread more slowly, so it is easy to remove the parts of the plant where they were first noticed, and the plants can also be washed off. They can also be controlled with chemical agents that are used at the beginning of the infection.
Use of elderberry
Throughout history, elderberry has found its place in numerous fields of medicine and cooking. In Victorian England, elderberry wine was an indispensable drink on every street corner. Even today, elderberry juice can be found in most rural grandmothers’ pantries, and the aroma of elderberry is popular in various dishes, from ice cream to cakes. Throughout history, elderberry has often been used as a first aid against flu and colds, and due to its wealth of vitamins and antioxidants, it also exhibits numerous other medicinal properties.
Preparations
Cookery
Elderberry is best known for its juice, which is obtained from freshly picked flowers. This drink marked many childhoods throughout Europe, and it is often found in the pantries of many grandmothers who know well the secret of its preparation. In history, elderberry wine was extremely popular and was consumed the most in Victorian England. You can also make carbonated juice from it yourself, which with apple cider vinegar and a couple of weeks of patience becomes a nice slightly alcoholic sparkling wine.
In addition to drinks, other uses of elderflowers are possible. Breaded elderberry is a traditional dessert that is adored with some fruit sauce or sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. As such, it can proudly stand alongside your favorite pancakes, fritters, apples in a dressing gown and all similar desserts. In addition to being sweet, this dish can also be eaten as a savory prologue to various other dishes.
Elderberries are usually used to make marmalades, and you can also save them as a compote. Berries can also be prepared in desserts like other berries, although this use is not as common.
Medicine
Throughout history, elder has been known as a very medicinal plant. It was often used as a first aid for flu, cold or cough. It is believed that it can raise immunity, and for this purpose various scientific researches have been conducted on elderberry. Elderberry is said to be able to achieve almost the same effectiveness as some drugs used to relieve flu symptoms, and for this purpose, elderberry extract, which is much more concentrated than the classic juice, should be used.
Elderberry is also known for its richness in antioxidants, which can be compared to other berries. In addition, it has a very high proportion of vitamin C and other valuable phytochemicals such as flavonoids or anthocyanins.
Interesting things
Elderberry has a very well-documented history of use in various cultures. In the Middle Ages, it was considered a sacred tree that has the ability to heal the sick and keeps the secret of longevity. For ancient peoples, the elderberry was a symbol of death and birth, and many myths were developed around it. While for some it was a sacred plant, others believed that under its canopy at night witches are found and that it is the elderberry that is responsible for the potency of their magical potions.
The history of elderberry dates back to the Stone Age, and its medicinal properties were known to the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Destroying an elder tree was considered an omen of bad luck, just like breaking a mirror. The burning of an elder tree was perceived as a sign of death, and it was said that the devil himself appeared in the flames. Superstitious peoples used to plant an elder tree next to the back entrance to the house to protect it from black magic and witches. It was also believed that the spirit of the elder can harm children, which is why in some nations it was forbidden to make cradles from its branches. A small wind instrument similar to a flute was also made from elderberry in ancient Rome, which was called sambuca, and hence the Latin version of the genus name – Sambucus.
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