You know how much I love the elderberry trees/shrubs we have here . . until I’ve had my fill of them and they won’t stop producing and I can’t let them go to waste!
I’m no doctor so this isn’t medical advice but I read this article yesterday. Interesting and encouraging since we have so much juice here.
There are probably parts of the country where elderberries will not grow well but in Texas and here, they are easy to grow. They produce a lot better here than they did in Texas.
One thing that might interest anyone wanting to plant them – you can buy one or two plants, hopefully a native variety to your area, plant it and the next year when you prune it, the cuttings can be cut into about 8 – 10″ pieces and poked in the ground . . no digging necessary. We have the worst ground with tons of rocks. If I can poke the stick in about 4″, the plant will grow and maybe even bloom that same year. I’m not going to say they’re invasive but I wouldn’t plant there in an area where I would be frustrated if they took over.
Obviously, I think everyone should be growing elderberries! 🙂
Liz says
Interesting article about the benefits of the elderberry. I’m getting some cold-pressed concentrate juice (Amazon) to give it a try. I opted for the syrup vs getting dried berries to make my own syrup. Maybe in the spring, I’ll get a bush, but it seems that it will be a while to grow enough for a consistent crop. In the meantime, I’ll start using the syrup, once it gets here.
I have labs for a doctor’s appt in about six weeks so I’ll be able to test if it really reduces blood sugar & A1c levels. I’ll report back to you afterwards.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
They may grow faster than you think. Just be sure to get something native. I planted mine when I moved here in October, 2020 and by 2022 I was getting more from three plants than I could handle. When I cut them back in early spring 2023, I stuck about 20 cuttings in the ground and I got an amazing amount of berries from those plants this summer.
nalaxu says
I bought an elderberry bush about a year ago with plans of doing things with the berries. I have autoimmune diseases and found out it is not recommended for people with AI issues as it can stimulate the immune system causing more problems with autoimmune disease. Such a conundrum for me. It has so many potential good benefits.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I did not know that about elderberry and AI. I know there had been some discussion about it increasing the risk of cytokine storm/overstimulating the immune system. They do make beautiful plants and birds love them. I’ve heard they’re also beneficial for birds and chickens but glad you found that info before taking a bunch of it.