Have you ever gathered plump, juicy berries into your apron and whisked them to the kitchen to make syrup, wine, or jam?
I’m no Julie Andrews and I don’t (usually) twirl and sing in my kitchen, but gathering food and therapeutic herbs from my yard does make things feel a little more magical, and some singing may be involved.
With that in mind, I thought I’d share my process for planting elderberry cuttings so that you can have your very own berries to harvest.
Like the common backyard weed I use to make our “first aid” ointment, elderberry has a variety of benefits and uses.
Elderberries have long been revered for their ability to support the immune system, and newer research suggests they can also help the body absorb vitamin C, too. (1)
Elderberry syrup is a favorite traditional way to prepare it, and for just .000001% more effort the syrup can be transformed into elderberry and strawberry jam. The berries to make elderberry tea or fizzy soda, and the flowers can also be used to make homemade soda in the late summer.
I could go on and on, but the bottom like is that word is getting out about elderberry, and that is AWESOME!
Except when it’s not, because all of a sudden elderberry retailers everywhere are out-of-stock due to high demand. Yikes.
Fortunately, elderberry bushes are both beautiful and easy to grow. Several of you have asked for step-by-step instructions, so I put together this post for you.
I cover the most common questions I’ve heard about growing elderberries, plus step-by-step instructions for growing elderberries from cuttings.
American elderberry shrubs (Sambucus canadensis) are versatile native plants prized for their nutritious berries, attractive blooms, and wildlife benefits. Propagating elderberries through hardwood cuttings allows gardeners to expand plantings or share these useful shrubs easily. Following proper techniques when selecting, preparing, and rooting cuttings can help ensure propagation success. This comprehensive guide covers key tips for propagating American elderberry shrubs the right way using hardwood cuttings.
Choosing Ideal Hardwood Cuttings from Healthy Elderberry Shrubs
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Select cuttings in late winter from healthy, mature elderberry shrubs that exhibit desirable qualities like abundant flowers and fruit Avoid diseased or pest-damaged plants
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Use only 1-year-old wood, identified by its smooth bark and lively green underbark when scratched. Older branches often fail to root well.
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Look for straight, vigorous stems around 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch thick. Pencil-width branches root most reliably.
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Cut stems to 10-12 inch lengths using sterile, sharp bypass pruners. Discard very thin, weak, or excessively thick pieces.
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Take multiple cuttings from different areas of each shrub to preserve genetic diversity
Preparing Hardwood Elderberry Cuttings and Planting Media
Before sticking cuttings, proper preparation is vital:
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Use a clean pruning shear or knife to trim each cutting diagonally just below a leaf node. This exposes more surface area to initiate rooting.
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Optional: Dip the angled end into rooting hormone powder to encourage quicker root development. Tap off any excess powder.
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Fill trays or pots with a free-draining mix of 1 part peat and 1 part perlite. Pre-moisten the soilless media.
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Or prepare outdoor nursery beds amended with compost to improve drainage and nutrition.
Rooting the Prepared Hardwood Elderberry Cuttings
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Stick cuttings 10-12 inches apart directly into prepped containers filled with the soilless rooting medium.
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Firm the cuttings gently and ensure at least 2-3 leaf nodes are buried for stability. Leave the top bud exposed.
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Water in the cuttings to settle media without oversaturating. Proper moisture is vital for rooting success.
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Place trays or pots in a bright spot protected from direct sun. A greenhouse is ideal, but a patio works too.
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Mist cuttings daily to maintain high humidity around leaves until rooting occurs. Avoid soggy soil.
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Bottom heat of 70-80°F accelerates root growth. Consider a heat mat or warm windowsill to maintain warmth.
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Cuttings kept consistently moist and warm can root in approximately 6-8 weeks. Test for rootedness by gently tugging.
Transplanting Successfully Rooted Elderberry Cuttings
Once cuttings have rooted and formed calluses, it’s time to transplant them:
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Harden off rooted cuttings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Bring inside at night.
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Prepare growing beds with rich soil and full sunlight. Space plants at least 5-6 feet apart for future growth.
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Carefully separate rooted cuttings from rooting media and plant into beds at the same depth they grew in containers.
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Water newly planted cuttings well and provide shade for 1-2 weeks until they establish. Staking assists stability.
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Apply balanced organic fertilizer a month after transplanting. Mulch helps conserve moisture and repress weeds.
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Prune back top growth by 1⁄3 after transplant for healthier branching. Allow plants to become established for 1-2 years before harvesting flowers or fruits.
Follow these guidelines when propagating American elderberries by hardwood cuttings, and you’ll gain an easy, affordable way to expand your plantings of this highly useful native shrub. Patience and care for cuttings will reward you with vigorous elderberry clones ready to thrive for years to come.
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Wondering how long it will take to get berries?
This summer you’ll get elderflowers, which you can use to make syrup, tea or lemonade. (See step five for details.)
By next summer you’ll have juicy elderberries to use in homemade pies, jam, jelly, wine, syrup and soda – yum!
Tip: Use Two Varieties for Bigger Fruit
According to this article:
In other words, if you plant two different varieties within 60 feet of each other you increase the fruitfulness of both. Norm’s Farm sells two varieties:
Hardwood Propagation – EASY Elderberry cuttings and more!
FAQ
Can I grow an elderberry bush from a cutting?
Can you root elderberry in water?
Can you grow elderberry from a stem?
Can you take elderberry cuttings in summer?
How do you propagate elderberry plants?
Plants may be propagated from either hardwood or softwood cuttings. Hardwood elderberry cuttings should be taken when the plant is dormant. The timing can vary by region, but this typically takes place from January to March, depending on your climate. Just peek outside at your plant and look for any green growth or buds breaking.
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.
How do you root elderberry cuttings?
Rooting elderberry cuttings may begin either in water or a soil mix. You can place the trimming cut side down in a jar filled with water, submerging halfway. Put the jar in a sunny area for six to eight weeks, changing the water every so often. Mist the cutting every few days. Roots should begin to form by week eight.
How do you care for Elderberry cuttings?
Place the elderberry cuttings, cut side down in a jar, covering them with 2-3″ of clean water. Optional, though not required, is to add one cup of willow tea to the water in the first week. Set the jar of cuttings in a safe, mostly sunny place for 6-8 weeks, changing the water weekly. Be sure to spray or mist the cuttings every few days.