Black Elder Shrub - Royal - ORG

Ask anyone about an elderberry and chances are a memory will immediately spring to mind. Homemade elderflower cordial, Grandma making jam, or a bush at the back of the garden that attracted birds every year. The Black Elder Haidegg 17 (Sambucus nigra) is one of those plants that does more than just grow. In spring, large umbels of wonderfully fragrant blossoms appear, later followed by deep, dark berries that have been used in all sorts of recipes for generations. The Haidegg 17 cultivar has been selected for its large fruit clusters, plump berries and reliable yield, making it widely used in professional fruit growing too.

A plant that lives with the seasons

The elderberry is constantly changing. First, the creamy-white blossoms attract swarms of insects; then the glossy berries take over; and in autumn, birds too know exactly where to find the shrub. That’s what makes an elderberry so lively – there’s always something happening. In the past, it was believed that an elderberry bush brought good luck if it stood close to the house. Whether that’s really true is open to debate, but the fact that it has had a permanent place in European gardens for centuries speaks volumes.

Important to know

Please note: the dark berries of the black elder are not intended to be eaten raw. Raw (and certainly unripe) elderberries contain natural substances that can cause stomach and intestinal problems. Heating the berries thoroughly removes these substances, making them ideal for making syrup, jam, jelly, juice or other preparations. This is precisely why elderberries have been used primarily in cooking for generations. You will receive this organic Haidegg 17 as a lovely, well-developed plant in a P15 pot, so it can be given a nice spot in the garden straight away.

A fruit shrub where there’s something happening every season

There are plants that look lovely for a few weeks and then fade into the background. The Black Elder does exactly the opposite. From the first blossoms in spring to the dark clusters of berries at the end of summer, there’s always something to enjoy. This makes Haidegg 17 not only a valuable fruit bush for the edible garden, but also a wonderful plant for anyone who wants to bring more biodiversity and life into their garden. What’s more, year after year you’ll enjoy a harvest that’s perfect for all sorts of homemade treats.