Rocky Mountain Elder
Sambucus melanocarpa
zones 3-6
50 seeds
Rocky Mountain Elder (Sambucus melanocarpa) is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to twelve feet tall. It is in flower from June to July, forming clumps of black berries shortly thereafter. The creamy-white clusters of elderflowers are edible. Traditional methods of consuming elderberries include jams, jellies, and syrups. Due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides, and alkaloids in the seeds the ripe berries should be cooked, and the seeds strained out.
Seeds should be scarified before planting. They are best sown in the autumn in a cold frame and should germinate in early spring. Stored seed can be sown in the spring in a cold frame but will probably germinate better if it is given 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification first.
Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If good growth is made, the young plants can be placed in their permanent positions during the early summer. Otherwise, either put them in a sheltered nursery bed, or keep them in their pots in a sheltered position and plant them out in spring of the following year. Rocky Mountain Elder prefers moist soil. The shrubs tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Sambucus melanocarpa
zones 3-6
50 seeds
Rocky Mountain Elder (Sambucus melanocarpa) is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to twelve feet tall. It is in flower from June to July, forming clumps of black berries shortly thereafter. The creamy-white clusters of elderflowers are edible. Traditional methods of consuming elderberries include jams, jellies, and syrups. Due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides, and alkaloids in the seeds the ripe berries should be cooked, and the seeds strained out.
Seeds should be scarified before planting. They are best sown in the autumn in a cold frame and should germinate in early spring. Stored seed can be sown in the spring in a cold frame but will probably germinate better if it is given 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification first.
Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If good growth is made, the young plants can be placed in their permanent positions during the early summer. Otherwise, either put them in a sheltered nursery bed, or keep them in their pots in a sheltered position and plant them out in spring of the following year. Rocky Mountain Elder prefers moist soil. The shrubs tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Sambucus melanocarpa
zones 3-6
50 seeds
Rocky Mountain Elder (Sambucus melanocarpa) is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to twelve feet tall. It is in flower from June to July, forming clumps of black berries shortly thereafter. The creamy-white clusters of elderflowers are edible. Traditional methods of consuming elderberries include jams, jellies, and syrups. Due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides, and alkaloids in the seeds the ripe berries should be cooked, and the seeds strained out.
Seeds should be scarified before planting. They are best sown in the autumn in a cold frame and should germinate in early spring. Stored seed can be sown in the spring in a cold frame but will probably germinate better if it is given 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification first.
Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If good growth is made, the young plants can be placed in their permanent positions during the early summer. Otherwise, either put them in a sheltered nursery bed, or keep them in their pots in a sheltered position and plant them out in spring of the following year. Rocky Mountain Elder prefers moist soil. The shrubs tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure.