A shrub with delicate flowers and tasty berries
Elder trees are small trees that are very common in our countryside. The flowers are highly prized by pollinators, and the fruits by birds. They are edible for humans once cooked. This species is essential for creating beautiful hedges and will provide shelter and a bountiful food source for many garden species. Elder trees will adapt to all types of soil.
The most common species in our countryside are Sambucus nigra and Sambucus racemosa. Highly prized by birds, elderberry can naturally establish itself in our gardens through the flights and droppings of warblers, robins, or any other bird that loves its berries. Its scientific name is thought to derive from the ancient Greek word sambúkē, which referred to a flute or harp in ancient Greece. The hollow stems of the elderberry can be used to make music.
Did you know that you can make syrup with my flowers? But you can also make lemonade, jams, and even fritters by eating my flowers raw! Harry Potter’s wand was also made from wood from my tree.
