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Ozarks Gardening

Elderberry Trees

19 years ago

Dear List,

I am living in Texas County Missouri on 3 acres of land that I hope to turn into a little haven for wildlife. One of the things I have been kicking around between my ears is to plant some Elderberry trees. The soil where I live is almost pure clay and also very acidic. Would Elderberry do well in this area? Has anyone on this list grown them in this type of terain.

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Comments (5)

helenh
19 years ago
The wild ones grow here in dirt road ditches where it is moist. I have transplanted some in my yard to very rocky soil not clay. They do well here and smell good when they bloom. I don't know about clay soil. I think my soil is acid though.
posy_pet
19 years ago
I threw out seed from wild ones that I made jelly from.I have a small grove of them behind our pump house in clay soil.The flowers are pretty and smell lovely.They make good jelly or syrup and the birds eat them.They also planted poison ivy in them!I think they need some shade-mine are on the east side of the pumphouse.There are also some pretty new varieties with purple leaves.Posy Pet
Related Discussions
is this really elderberry tree?
Q
Comments (1)
Certainly looks like a young elderberry.
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transplanting trees
Q
Comments (1)
in MI .... last 2 weeks of sept ... if day temps get into the 70's reliably ... and the first 2 weeks of october ... trying to be done by such 6 to 8 weeks before ground freeze .... 2 cool seasons.. before next summers heat ... fall is root growing time.. after the plants are dormant above ... you must insure that they are well watered but not wet.. through thanksgiving.. which means.. dont put the hose away 10/1 and forget about them ... you are responsible for all and proper watering next season ... what is your native soil ... i NEVER amend soil ... in pure sand... clay requires its own preparations.. of which i am not qualified ... never fertilize .. if life gets in the way this fall ... as soon as the ground thaws in spring .. so 3/15 to the end of april ... the problem will be over-wintering the pots in this scenario ... protect from vermin this winter ... ken
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And another cute tree
Q
Comments (16)
I penned a response yesterday, but the #$@^% pop-up erased it - grrrr ! AGP, I will check w/Homewood and see if I get the same answer, or as suggested, maybe that HW person was confusing the Black Lace w/BB - possible, there's soooo much to know about! Meanwhile, me who has made so much noise about BL is now re-thinking my potential location. What occurred to me is that spring color in the front of my house is not what I need - there's already a riot out there! - what I want/need is a more evergreen (with bloom would be great) to tie the mini-gardens down thru the winter months and still look great thru the summer. Camellias are getting my attention just now ...... (I still do want a BL Elderberry, just not for this specific area.) I have two fall bloomers - one tall espaliered (sp) on the back wall and another compact shrubby one in front. They're both of pink coloration and bloom their heads off every year. Also have three late winter bloomers - two whites and a pink - they often get nipped, but when they do get to show their stuff (like last non-winter), they're spectacular. If I can get the right configuration for my front areas, they should fill the bill and provide the visual repetition/consistancy I like. I bumped into a website for Camella Forest in Chapel Hill - looks like they have most every type in creation ..... anybody know of or about them?
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Is this an elderberry tree?
Q
Comments (1)
It is not elderberry. Could it be Aralia spinosa?
...See More
Millie_36
19 years ago
It is an invasive plant...sends up sprouts from the roots and makes a thicket, so make sure it is not too near your garden or flower beds. The purchased kind is just as invasive as the native...that's what I have. We built a chicken yard around it to keep it under control. Chickens loved the shade.
kskitte
19 years ago
My mother still talks about the elderberry wine her grandmother made. Ever tried making any?
I've never had any but am tempted to plant some trees and try.
KK
beerhog
19 years ago
Made wine last year. Do not need much juice. It is some potent stuff.

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