Elderberry-Eastern

(Sambuscus canandensis)These are seedling selections of the eastern North American variety chosen for larger size and sweeter berries. An ornamental compact shrub, elderberries grow 6-8’ and should be spaced accordingly. They will tolerate some shade and prefer a damper soil. The large clusters of fruit ripen in August and make tremendous pies, jams and of course, wine! The flower clusters are battered and used to make elderberry fritters. Impossible to buy in a grocery store the only way to savor these treats is to grow your own. Elderberries are now considered one of the Super Fruits and are used for their antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. Elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995.