Released May 26, 2008
URBANA, Ill. – Elderberries can provide an attractive choice for a landscape plant, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.
"American elder (Sambucus Canadensis) is native to all of the eastern two-thirds of the United States," said Barbara Bates. "It can be grown as a small tree or a large shrub ranging from five to 12 feet. A profusion of flat-topped clusters of small, fragrant white flowers are held high above the foliage for a sensational display in June and July.
"These clusters can reach 15 inches across, providing a highly visible display. In late summer, large clusters of dark purple berry-like fruits attract birds. The divided foliage provides a soft texture when planted next to needled evergreens or large-leafed, coarse shrubs. The arching form of the branches offers a graceful silhouette on the winter landscape."
Several cultivars have been selected for superior foliage and color, she noted. S. Canadensis "Aurea" has golden yellow leaves that create a striking contrast when placed against a dark background. "Acutifolia" is a smaller cultivar reaching only six feet in height with deeply divided leaflets that provide a tropical texture. Sambucus nigra "Eva" Black Lace and S. nigra "Gerda" Black Beauty are developed from an elder native to Europe. Both cultivars have dark purple foliage, fragrant pink blooms, and red to purple fruits. The lacy, finely cut foliage of both cultivars mimic Japanese maples, but they are more tolerant of climate and soils found in the Midwest.
"The species form, S. Canadensis, is best used as a naturalizing plant or as a living fence at the edge of the garden because it tends to spread and form thickets," Bates said. "Elder also can be used as an understory planting. Be mindful to place them where the berries can drop without creating a problem. 'York' and 'Adams' are especially heavy-fruiting cultivars."
Elderberries are easy to prune, she added, because they stay a manageable size even at maturity.
"The stems are quick to renew if damaged by ice or heavy snows," she said. "They grow well when neglected but have a better appearance when given an annual shaping and thinning to remove old and damaged stems."
The fruits of elder can be used as a natural dye, made into preserves, pies, juice, or wine. Leaves, twigs, stems, and unripe fruit contain significant quantities of sambunigrin, which can cause nausea and digestive upset. Cooking the unripe berries neutralizes the sambunigrin. Cooking and sweetening of all fruits is recommended.
"Blooming elderberries are helpful in reminding alert gardeners when it is time to scout for Japanese beetles," she said. "Adult Japanese beetles are voracious feeders on foliage, fruit, and flowers of a wide range of ornamental plants and shade trees."
Favorite foods of Japanese beetles include roses, grapes, Japanese maples and elms. The larval form of the beetle (grubs) feeds on the roots of turfgrass and woody plants. Adult beetles emerge from the ground when elderberries are in bloom. The beetles are highly mobile but are easily spotted when feeding on the upper surface of leaves.
To view a picture of a Japanese beetle, visit http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/bugreview/japanesebeetle.html .
"It is difficult to effectively use chemical sprays to control the adults because they fly readily," Bates said. "A slight disturbance of the foliage will cause them to drop and roll. This predictable behavior makes it easy to catch them in a pail of soapy water to be disposed of. Prized plants can be protected with netting once the adults emerge."
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http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4401.html
Contacts: Barbara Bates (630) 584-6166
Bob Sampson, (217) 244-0225, rsampson@uiuc.edu
