For centuries, elderberries have been used to make preserves, wines, cordials, and syrups for adding flavor and color to other wines. Elderberry juice is both tasty and very nutritious, ranking at the top with black currant in antioxidants and vitamins.
The flower clusters of the elderberry plant are used as a vegetable that can be dipped in batter and fried as fritters. The elderberry bush has very dependable fruit production due to late bloom in June. It’s not bothered by insects or diseases. Quick to grow to mature height of 6-8 ft.
Two different cultivars are suggested for good pollination.
Precaution – The branches and leaves of elderberry are poisonous and the raw fruit contains the chemical compound sambunigrin which may be dangerous if ingested. The small stem which is sometimes left on the berry is safe.
