Dwarf Elderberry - Sambucus ebulus - €5 per plant 

Dwarf Elderberry is a herbaceous species of elder, growing only to a height of 1.2m, making it an ideal candidate for the woodland garden, or as ground cover.  Its clusters of pretty white flowers attract a wide variety of wildlife and its leaves are widely used in herbal medicine.  To order this plant please contact us balkanecologyproject@gmail.com.  

Context

  • native region: Europe, including Britain
  • native habitat:  Waste ground, woods, hedgerows and scrub
  • family: Caprifoliaceae


Predators

  • Aphids and caterpillars may feed on elderberry bush leaves, stems and shoots.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun, semi shade
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 8
  • Prefers moist soil
  • Can tolerate atmospheric pollution

Known hazards 

  • The leaves and stems are poisonous
  • Some sources state the seeds of the fruit are toxic
  • Any toxin the fruit might contain is likely to be of quite low toxicity and is destroyed when the fruit is cooked

Overview

  • ​Deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m by 1 m at a fast rate 
  • It is in flower from July to August and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by a variety of insects.
  • ​It is self fertile
  • It is noted for attracting wildlife. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers moist soil
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • It cannot grow in full shade. 
  • The plant can tolerate strong winds
  • It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Characteristics

  • form: Herbaceous plant seldom exceeding 1.2 m in height and dying back annually. 
  • layer : Shrub Layer
  • habit: quick growing
  • height x width (m): 1.2 x 1

Products 

  • Flowers: The flowers are whiter than those of the Common Elder, while the petals have some crimson markings on the outside and are are highly attractive to a variety of pollinators.
  • Fruit: Can be cooked. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and is a reddish purple colour, forming in large clusters.
  • Leaves: The leaves are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use. They are widely renowned for being more potent that the Common Elder and used medicinally, commonly in the treatment of liver and kidney complaints. Bruised leaves can provide relief to skin burns.

Functions, behaviours

  • Spreads by underground shoots from the creeping root.
  • If  berries are allowed to fall on the ground, they will produce many plants in the following summer.
  • Tolerates most soils, including chalk
  • Can tolerate coastal situations
If you would like this plant  please send an email to balkanecologyproject@gmail.com with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project