Elderberry shrubs are gaining popularity in home gardens for their tasty fruits wildlife value, and ornamental qualities. As an enthusiastic elderberry grower I’m often asked about the ideal time to transplant these plants to a new location. Through trial and error in my own garden, I’ve determined the best practices for successfully relocating American elderberry shrubs with minimal stress.
In this article, I’ll share my recommendations for when and how to transplant your American elderberry to ensure it re-establishes quickly
Why Transplanting at the Right Time Matters
Timing is everything when it comes to transplanting plants. Doing it at the wrong time of year can shock the plant’s system and set back growth.
For American elderberries, the best time to transplant is during the dormant season after they have lost their leaves. This is typically late fall in colder zones and late winter in warmer areas.
Transplanting during dormancy causes less trauma because the plant has lower water needs and is not actively growing. Trying to move it during the growing season can seriously disrupt the root system and cause major setbacks.
Signs Your Elderberry is Ready for Transplanting
Here are clear signs your American elderberry shrub is ready to be relocated during dormancy
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The plant has dropped all its leaves.
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The stems are firm and woody rather than green and pliable.
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The weather has turned cool, with frost occurring.
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The soil is relatively moist but not saturated.
Waiting for these cues helps ensure your elderberry will experience minimal transplant shock.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transplanting American Elderberry
Follow this simple process for stress-free transplanting:
1. Prepare the Plant
Prune back any long, whippy stems and remove flower heads. This reduces transpiration demands.
2. Prepare the Root Ball
Water the plant well 1-2 days before digging it up. Then using a rounded spade, dig out an 18-24 inch root ball.
3. Transport Carefully
Carefully move the root ball on a tarp or wheelbarrow to avoid crumbling. Keep the roots covered.
4. Prepare New Planting Hole
Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball in the new location. Mix compost into the soil.
5. Plant at Proper Depth
Place the elderberry into the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the ground.
6. Backfill Soil
Refill the hole with the amended soil, tamping down gently to eliminate air pockets.
7. Water Thoroughly
Water slowly and deeply after transplanting. Add mulch around the base to retain moisture.
8. Stake if Needed
Place stakes around the shrub and loosely tie stems to provide temporary support if needed.
Post-Transplant Care for Optimal Recovery
Once planted, care for your elderberry with these tips:
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Water deeply every 1-2 weeks until established, about 1 inch per week.
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Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring.
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Prune back any dead stems and shape after new growth emerges.
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Monitor for pests like borers that attack stressed plants.
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Weed and re-apply mulch around the base when needed.
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How to Grow Elderberry
Although it can tolerate some shade, elderberry requires full sun for optimum production.
Elderberry grows in a wide range of soil types and conditions, but performs best in somewhat fertile, well-drained soil. Having your soil tested before planting will determine if any soil amendments need to be made. It is easier to amend and improve soils before planting than after, as elderberries have shallow roots that are easily damaged with cultivation. A soil high in organic matter that has a neutral pH and healthy nutrient levels will result in the best growth. Incorporating compost or other organic matter will improve soil nutrient levels and water holding capacity. In heavy clay soils, forming raised beds can help improve drainage.
Elderberries can be purchased commercially, either as bare-root starts or as potted plants. Purchasing from a reputable nursery will ensure healthy disease-free plants. The eastern varieties of Elderberry plants can also be propagated from either soft-wood or hard-wood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings should be taken in February or March, well before bud break, and soft wood cuttings root best when taken before July. Plants can also be successfully propagated from root cuttings, dug in late winter and covered in soilless media. The blue-fruited elderberry native to Utah is much more difficult to propagate, but softwood cuttings taken in late June are the most likely to root.
Dormant, bare root plants can be planted very early in the spring. Actively growing nursery container plants should not be planted until danger of hard frosts has past. It is best to establish plants before summer heat. Elderberry plants can be used as a landscape plant or planted in rows in a garden. Be sure to allow enough space around each plant; depending on the cultivar, approximately 4 feet in all directions is sufficient. If planting in rows, the plants can be set 2 to 4 feet apart, and the plants will fill in and create a solid row. If multiple rows are desired, leave 6 to 8 feet between rows.
Elderberries are quite drought tolerant. However, regular irrigation will maximize fruit production and quality. Plants can use 1 to 2 inches of water per week during the heat of summer. Mulching will help conserve soil moisture and reduce weed competition.
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Until recently, the only cultivars available were older selections, mostly from New York and Eastern Canada. With renewed interest in growing elderberries, more breeding programs have begun working to develop new cultivars. ‘Wyldewood’ was selected in Missouri and has fairly good tolerance to alkaline soils. It produces large clusters with medium to large berries on first year shoots. ‘Adams 2’ is also tolerant to alkaline soils and yields medium sized berries in large clusters. ‘York’ is an older cultivar that produces the largest berries among current American cultivars and ripens early in the season. ‘Black Lace’ is a new purple-leafed cultivar that has beautiful ornamental characteristics, similar to a Japanese Maple, and also produces a good crop of fruit, but has not been widely tested in Utah’s alkaline soils. Some eastern cultivars have shown high levels of iron chlorosis on Utah soils. All of these cultivars will grow to be 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Elderberries are pollinated by wind and insects. Although they are partially self-fruitful, having more than one cultivar will result in better pollination and higher yields.
Growing American Elderberries
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