growing elderberry in illinois

Elderberry may be found throughout Illinois. It grows along roadsides and in moist woods. Flowers are produced in June and July. All parts of the plant produce hydrocyanic acid, although the berries are edible and provide food for many bird species.

How long does it take for an elderberry bush to produce fruit?

Elderberries will grow on plants the first year you plant them, but they take two to three years to fully fruit depending on how they were sourced. A healthy elderberry plant can live up to 60 years.

Where do elderberries grow best?

Elderberries grow well in full- to part-sun locations. They are not fussy about soil type, but grow best in a slightly acidic soil that is high in organic matter and stays consistently moist. Some of the European varieties may die back to the ground in colder climates, but will resprout from the roots in spring.

Is Elderberry easy to grow?

Elderberry bushes are extremely easy to grow and care for, thriving in full sun or partial shade. Depending on variety and conditions, they can grow from 10' to 20' tall, but can be pruned and kept much smaller. They do best in gardening zones 3-8.

Do I need two elderberry bushes?

When planting elderberry bushes, you should note that the berries will grow on the bushes the first year you plant them. Just remember that the berries will do better the second year. ... When elderberry planting, make sure to allow for cross-pollination. Therefore, two or more cultivars can be planted near each other.

Can you eat raw elderberries?

Cooked ripe elderberries are perfectly edible. Unripe elderberries are poisonous. Raw berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, among other symptoms, so be sure to cook them before eating.

Do elderberry bushes spread?

Elderberry spreads through root suckers, and these should be pruned in late winter to avoid populations that naturalize over a large area.

When should I plant elderberry?

Since they can grow up to 12 feet tall and six feet across, mature bushes will need lots of room to thrive. Elderberries should be planted in the spring, once the danger of frost has passed.

How long should you cook elderberries?

1. Put the elderberries in a large, non-reactive pot with the water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, until tender and soft.

What grows well with elderberry?

Other good ideas for elderberry companion planting include edging your vegetable garden with the shrubs or mixing them with other berry shrubs, like currants and gooseberries. Just planting ornamental varieties as a border for the perennial flower garden can be very attractive.

Does deer eat Elderberry?

Do deer eat elderberry bush? Deer eat many varieties of trees, shrubs, and even young plants. ... Like squirrels, birds, and bears, deer can eat different parts of the Elderberry bush. However, Elderberries are equally reported as highly deer resistant shrubs, so the difference is really about your location.

Are elderberries poisonous to dogs?

Pet Toxicity

Unripe elderberries contain a toxic alkaloid, as well as cyanogenic glycosides. The plant is listed on the Deerfield Veterinary Clinic and the Pet Education websites as being toxic to dogs. Plant poisoning in pets can cause a range of symptoms, from vomiting, nausea and diarrhea to organ failure or death.

Can elderberry grow in shade?

While they will tolerate partial shade, elderberries are more productive when located in full sun. ... Gardeners who are serious about growing elderberries for their fruit will want to plant several plants or more in a hedge row with at least two different varieties planted 60 feet or less apart.

Can you grow elderberries from dried berries?

To propagate by seed, simply hang a cluster of picked elderberry fruits upside down in a sunny location to dry out. Once dried, shake the seeds loose from the dehydrated fruit pulp and place in a bag in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 weeks to cold stratify before attempting to germinate.

How many elderberry plants do I need?

With a 6 pound elderberry harvest average per bush, you will need two elderberry plants per person to satisfy your syrup needs.

Are elderberries self pollinating?

Answer: Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, is a native shrub with edible fruit that is very easy to grow. Although the elderberry is self-fruitful, a more dependable and larger crop of berries will result from cross pollination of 2 different shrubs. ... Plant your elderberry in a well-drained rich soil.

Can elderberries kill you?

Elderberries (a.k.a. Sambucus) are a common folk remedy — but beware. According to the CDC, the fresh leaves, flowers, bark, young buds, and particularly the roots contain a bitter alkaloid and glucoside that can produce hydrocyanic acid — which leads to cyanide poisoning.

How many elderberries will kill you?

Elderberries // Not Just What your Father Smelled Of

It takes only a cup of incorrectly prepared elderberry juice, wine, or tea to result in mild sickness, but you would have to drink up to five glasses to be in life-threatening danger.

Do elderberries contain cyanide?

The uncooked berries, leaves, bark and roots of the elderberry plant contain the chemicals lectin and cyanide, which can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Cooking the berries and seeds will remove the cyanide.

Are elderberry bushes messy?

Elderberry (Sambucus sp.) is a fast-growing shrub with compound leaves, large clusters of ususally white flowers and bunches of small berries. ... These qualities have led some authors to the conclusion that elderberry is a big, coarse, sloppy shrub for the wild garden.

What's wrong with my elderberry bush?

Besides a nutrient deficiency, lack of water, trunk damage and even planting too deeply can all cause an elderberry with yellow leaves. Diseases such as leaf spot can also yellow leaves. This begins as black or brown spots on the underside of the leaves. The center falls out, leaving a hole with a red halo.