American elderberry, also known as common elderberry or just elderberry, is a deciduous shrub with bright white flowers and small, dark drupe fruits or “berries” that are often made into jellies or baked into pies. These shrubs are beloved by pollinators. American elderberry grows best in full sunlight, moist but well-draining soil, and mild temperatures.
The American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a gorgeous versatile shrub that produces wonderful clusters of fragrant white flowers and delicious dark purple berries loved by humans and wildlife alike. To get the most abundant harvest from your elderberries proper fertilization is key. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about fertilizing American elderberry shrubs for optimal growth and fruit production.
When to Fertilize American Elderberries
Fertilizing at the right time is crucial to support healthy plants and maximize your elderberry yield. The best time to feed your American elderberry is in early spring, before the plant emerges from dormancy and begins actively growing for the season. This allows the elderberry to efficiently take up the nutrients to put towards lush growth and fruit production.
If you fertilize too late in the growing season, it can promote tender new growth that is vulnerable to frost damage as winter approaches. Focus on feeding in early spring, and avoid fertilizing after mid-summer.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer
Selecting an appropriate fertilizer formulation is important to properly nourish your American elderberry without encouraging excessive leafy growth instead of flowers and fruit.
A balanced 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium provides an optimal blend for elderberries. Nitrogen stimulates vegetation and overall vigor, phosphorus supports root growth and fruit production, and potassium boosts disease resistance and plant health.
Organic fertilizers like compost, manure, fish emulsion, or bone meal also work wonderfully to gradually feed elderberries. They enhance soil structure and provide a diverse array of macro and micronutrients. Avoid using high nitrogen or quick-release synthetic fertilizers that can push growth at the expense of fruiting.
How Much to Feed American Elderberries
When fertilizing established elderberry plants, apply 1/2 to 1 cup of balanced fertilizer or 2 to 3 inches of organic matter. Spread evenly under the drip line but avoid direct contact with stems or trunks. For young plants, a smaller amount of 3 to 4 tablespoons is sufficient.
As a general rule, do not exceed 1 pound of actual nitrogen per mature plant annually. You can reduce or eliminate fertilizer for very vigorous plants producing abundant new canes. Increase the feeding rate by half for undersized or struggling plants showing minimal new growth.
Application Method and Timing
Broadcast fertilizer or organic materials evenly beneath the elderberry’s branches before growth begins in early spring. Water deeply after feeding to work nutrients into the root zone. Add a 2 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch like wood chips or straw around plants to conserve moisture and provide supplemental nutrition as it decomposes.
For potted elderberries, mix a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer into the potting soil before planting. Supplement with monthly liquid feeding during the growing season, using half strength fertilizer to avoid burn.
Feed container plants lightly in early spring and cease fertilizing by mid-summer to harden growth before moving indoors or colder weather arrives.
Signs Your Elderberries Need More or Less Fertilizer
Monitor your plants and adjust fertilizer accordingly if you notice:
- Minimal new growth and pale leaves – Increase fertilizer
- Small or no flowers and fruits – Increase phosphorus
- Excessive foliage growth but no flowers – Reduce nitrogen
- Scorched leaf edges – Potential fertilizer burn
The Best Soil for American Elderberry
Though adaptable to various soil types, American elderberry thrives best in rich, humusy, moderately acidic soil. Prepare planting beds by mixing in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility, drainage, and moisture retention.
Good drainage is especially important to prevent root rot, but the soil should hold adequate water too. Space plants 6-10 feet apart to allow air circulation and avoid disease.
Watering Your American Elderberry
Elderberries have relatively shallow roots and won’t tolerate dry spells. Supply plants with 1-2 inches of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Water deeply to encourage deep rooting, especially while plants are young and establishing.
Mulch to maintain soil moisture and reduce watering requirements. Be sure soil drains well to prevent waterlogging. Container plants need more frequent watering to keep soil consistently moist but not saturated.
American Elderberry Varieties
Many cultivars of American elderberry exist with different fruiting, flowering, and growing habits:
- Adams – High yielding, large clusters
- Johns – Vigorous with abundant blooms
- York – Resistant to disease, productive
- Nova – Compact growth, prolific fruit
- Aurea – Golden foliage, red berries
- Variegata – Striking variegated leaves
- Laciniata – Finely cut, fern-like foliage
Pruning Your Elderberries
Pruning is important for plant health and encourages abundant fruiting. Each spring, remove dead, damaged and crossing branches. Cut older stems down to the ground after 3 years. This stimulates the most productive new canes to grow each season.
You can also prune suckers as needed unless deliberately propagating. Some pruning for shape is optional, but avoid heavy pruning that removes too much fruiting wood.
Propagating Elderberry Shrubs
Elderberries grow easily from cuttings rooted in water or potting mix. Take 6 inch cuttings in early summer, trim the leaves, and dip the stems in rooting hormone. Place them in jars of clean water or a peat-based mix, keep humid, and transplant successfully rooted cuttings to the garden after a couple months.
Planting elderberry seeds is challenging. They require a lengthy cold stratification period to break dormancy.
Growing Elderberries in Containers
The shallow roots of elderberry adapt well to containers, making this a great option for small spaces. Use a large pot at least 24 inches wide. Plant in a quality potting mix and provide regular water to keep the roots moist but not saturated.
Fertilize lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Bring potted elderberries indoors to a sunny, protected spot before first frost.
Common Elderberry Pests and Diseases
Some potential elderberry problems include:
- Aphids – Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays
- Borers – Keep plants vigorous. Remove infested stems.
- Scale – Prune out heavy infestations. Apply horticultural oil.
- Mildew – Improve air circulation. Apply sulfur sprays.
- Root rot – Ensure good drainage. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
Getting Elderberries to Bloom
Given proper growing conditions, American elderberry will flower heavily in late spring. The small white blooms have a lovely, sweet fragrance. Once pollinated, the blossoms develop into elderberries through summer, ripening by early fall in most regions. Promote abundant flowering by:
- Planting in full sun
- Providing adequate water and fertilizer
- Renewing plants through regular pruning
Robust, well-cared for American elderberry shrubs will reward you with a bountiful harvest of sweet, nutritious berries perfect for jams, wines, and baked goods. Follow these best practices for fertilizing your elderberry plants, and enjoy their beautiful blooms and fruit for years to come. Let this comprehensive guide set you on the path to elderberry growing success!
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Types of American Elderberry
There are multiple cultivars of American elderberry available to grow:
- S. canadensis Aurea is a shrub with yellow leaves and red fruit instead of black.
- S. canadensis Variegata has unique foliage with variegation.
- S. canadensis Laciniata offers lacy, dissected leaves.
- S. canadensis Adams No. 1, Adams No. 2, York, and Johns produce an abundance of large drupes and are cultivars most used if youre cooking the fruit.
American Elderberry Care
American elderberry is an easy-to-care-for shrub that can tolerate a variety of different growing conditions. Here are the main care requirements for an American elderberry:
- Choose a sunny spot, though American elderberry can handle partial shade as well.
- Prepare well-draining soil that retains some moisture and ideally leans slightly acidic.
- Water American elderberry regularly and protect it from drought.
- Fertilize lightly each spring using a balanced fertilizer.
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The Spruce / K. Dave
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The Spruce / K. Dave
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The Spruce / K. Dave
Health Benefits Of Elderberry AND How To Grow The BEST Elderberry Bushes!
FAQ
What is the best fertilizer for elderberry bushes?
What to feed an elderberry bush?
How often should you water elderberry bushes?
How do you fertilize elderberry plants?
Liquid fertilizer should be mixed according to the manufacturer’s directions and sprayed directly onto the plant or watered into the soil, depending on the type. Liquid fertilizer is often the most convenient option if you are growing your elderberry in a container.
How much fertilizer do you need for elderberries?
If you have multiple plants, you can use 1 1/2 pounds of fertilizer per 100 square feet. Elderberries have shallow roots, so use caution when working the product into the soil. Don’t dig deeper than three inches down. Alternately, you can dig small, six-inch-deep holes every few feet around the drip line of the plant.
How do you care for elderberry plants?
Elderberries prefer a slightly acidic soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5. You can also use lime to increase the pH if necessary. Elderberry shrubs thrive in organically rich, moist, well-draining soil. At planting time, it helps to work plenty of compost or well-rotted manure into the soil, to ensure that your young plant thrives.
How do you plant American elderberry?
When planting your American elderberry, choose a spot that isn’t prone to standing water (the plants have shallow roots and can rot easily) and plant each shrub at least a few feet apart from one another to allow them to grow freely. When it comes to the American elderberry, drought is pretty much the one thing it cannot tolerate.