Elder
Almost unkillable, and the ornamental forms give a Japanese-maple effect for a fraction of the fuss.
Care
Sun for the darkest leaf colour; tolerates part shade.
Medium — water in dry spells until established.
Any moist but well-drained soil, including chalk and clay.
For foliage, cut all stems back to near the base in late winter; for flowers and berries, remove a third of the oldest stems each year instead.
A balanced feed or mulch in spring, especially after hard pruning.
Hardwood cuttings in winter root very easily.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- FebruaryCut back hard for foliage, or thin out old stems for flowers. how ›
- JunePick flower heads on dry mornings for cordial.
- DecemberTake hardwood cuttings. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryCut back hard for foliage, or thin out old stems for flowers. how ›
- JunePick flower heads on dry mornings for cordial.
- DecemberTake hardwood cuttings. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Dense black aphid colonies on shoot tips.
What to do. Usually cleared by predators.
How to spot it. White coating on purple-leaved forms in dry summers.
What to do. Water and mulch.
How to spot it. Uncooked berries, leaves and stems are toxic.
What to do. Only use ripe berries cooked.
Questions
Elder: is it hardy?
H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes in a large pot with hard annual pruning.
Elder: when do you prune it?
For foliage, cut all stems back to near the base in late winter; for flowers and berries, remove a third of the oldest stems each year instead. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in February.
Elder: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–July.
When do you feed it?
A balanced feed or mulch in spring, especially after hard pruning. Feeding months, UK: March–April.