Why Your American Elderberry Shrub Is Growing Sideways and What To Do About It

If you’ve noticed your American elderberry shrub developing an unusual sideways growth pattern instead of growing straight upwards, you’re probably wondering what’s causing this and how to fix it. There are several potential reasons an elderberry shrub may start growing horizontally instead of vertically, but the good news is there are also steps you can take to get your plant back on track.

Common Causes of Sideways Growth in Elderberry Shrubs

Here are some of the most likely culprits for sideways elderberry shrub growth:

• Insufficient sunlight – Elderberries thrive in full sun and can become leggy and sideways-growing if they don’t get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Poor soil quality – Compacted, clay-heavy, or nutrient deficient soil can restrict proper root development, leading to abnormal growth.

• Overwatering or underwatering – Irregular watering causes stress and can encourage horizontal growth.

• Lack of pruning – Unpruned shrubs often become overcrowded, forcing sideways growth.

• Pest or disease problems – Issues like borers, mites, mildew, or fungal infections can affect growth

• Exposure to wind or heavy rain – Elderberry stems are flexible and can bend sideways if battered by elements.

• Too much fertilizer – Excess nitrogen from fertilizers promotes fast, weak growth that can’t support itself

How to Get an Elderberry Shrub to Grow Upright

If your elderberry is growing sideways, take these corrective actions to encourage healthier upright growth:

• Check sunlight exposure – Move the shrub or trim back encroaching trees and shrubs to increase sunlight to at least 6 hours daily. Morning sun is best.

• Improve soil quality – Amend soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility, drainage and texture. Target a slightly acidic pH around 6.5.

• Water thoroughly and consistently – About 1-2″ of water weekly is ideal. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation for maximum root absorption.

• Prune annually – Thin out overcrowded branches and shorten lanky stems by 1/3 their length after flowering. This stimulates bushier regrowth.

• Monitor for pests/diseases – Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap for aphids, borers, mites. Remove affected branches and foliage. Improve air circulation.

• Stake stems – Gently stake stems while young to encourage upright growth and protect from weather damage. Remove stakes after 1-2 years once established.

• Reduce fertilizer – Excess nitrogen can overstimulate growth. Use a balanced organic fertilizer at half strength in early spring.

With consistent care addressing these key areas, you can get your wayward elderberry shrub back on an upright growing path. But why are proper growth and form important for elderberries beyond just aesthetics?

Why Upright Growth Matters for Elderberry Health

There are several reasons you want your American elderberry shrub growing vertically instead of horizontally:

• Improves bud development – Vertical stems get better sunlight exposure which promotes more flowering buds to form. This means more flowers and fruit.

• Prevents branch breakage – Sagging sideways branches are weaker and more prone to snapping, especially when bearing heavy clusters of elderberries.

• Enhances air circulation – Good air movement through the shrub decreases humidity levels. This lowers risks of fungal diseases taking hold.

• Makes harvesting easier – Upright growth puts the ripening elderberry clusters conveniently at hand for easier picking come late summer. No need for stooping or stretching.

• Maximizes fruit production – Direct sun exposure on vertical branches provides the energy plants need to convert to sugars that enlarge fruits. Bigger, juicier berries result.

• Improves plant structure – A healthy, upright American elderberry shrub has an aesthetically pleasing, naturally rounded form that showcases its ornamental attributes.

• Reduces long-term maintenance – Shrubs with proper upright structure require less corrective pruning and care compared to unruly, sideways-growing ones.

So for peak ornamental beauty, bountiful fruiting, and overall ease of care, be sure to give your American elderberry shrub what it needs to stand tall and grow straight upwards. The effort is well rewarded when you get to harvest huge clusters of juicy purple-black elderberries in late summer for all your baking, beverage, and medicinal needs.

Troubleshooting Specific Issues Causing Sideways Growth

Sometimes there are additional underlying issues that need targeted troubleshooting to get an established elderberry shrub growing correctly again. Here are solutions to check for:

• Root damage – Construction work, tilling, or aggressive weeding can damage shallow elderberry roots. Severe cases require shrub relocation. Provide mulch protection and hand weed gently.

• Trunk injury – Chewing damage from rodents or rubbing from deer can injure lower trunks. Wrap trunks with hardware cloth barriers if this occurs.

• Borer infestation – Clear sawdust-like frass from branch junctions. Insert a wire to kill larvae inside. Cut out badly infested stems back to healthy wood.

• Stem canker – Prune out dead canker-infected branches. Improve air flow. Disinfect pruners between cuts with isopropyl alcohol.

• Poor drainage – Elderberries need well-draining soil. Replant shrubs in raised beds if drainage is poor. Amend soil with organic material.

• Rootbound container plants – Pot-bound shrubs often grow sideways seeking space. Transplant container-grown plants into at least 15-20 gallon pots or in-ground.

• Insufficient staking – Young shrubs need sturdy staking for 1-2 years until mature stem structure develops. Use strong support posts with flexible ties.

With close inspection of your unique situation, you can diagnose additional causes of sideways elderberry growth beyond the more common ones. Address the specific issues identified with targeted solutions and your shrub will get back on track.

When to Seek Professional Help

While most elderberry growth challenges can be corrected with proper home care, some cases warrant seeking expert help:

• If the shrub is severely diseased, infested, or otherwise declining in health.

• If you need to safely remove a large, overgrown elderberry shrub.

• If soil tests indicate a need for drainage modifications or soil remediation.

• If sideways growth persists despite your best efforts to correct it.

Reputable arborists, horticulturists, or landscapers can provide professional advice, treatments, or elderberry removal and replanting services. Be sure to choose an experienced specialist familiar with local growing challenges.

With expert guidance combined with vigilant home care focused on providing ideal sun, soil, moisture, and pruning for your elderberry, you can get your shrub growing healthfully skyward again. Don’t let sideways growth ruin the natural beauty of your elderberry bush. A thriving, properly structured plant will reward you with abundant white blooms in spring and a bountiful elderberry harvest for years to come when given what it needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elderberry Shrub Sideways Growth

Here are answers to some common questions about correcting sideways growth in American elderberry shrubs:

What causes my elderberry bush to grow sideways?

Insufficient sunlight, poor soil quality, irregular watering, lack of pruning, pests and diseases, or weather damage can all cause sideways elderberry growth.

Should I stake an elderberry bush to make it grow upright?

Staking is recommended to train young shrubs to grow vertically and protect from weather damage. Use strong posts with flexible ties and remove stakes after 1-2 years.

How much should I prune my elderberry to encourage upright growth?

Prune out dead, damaged and crossing branches. Shorten lanky stems by 1/3 their length after flowering while shaping the shrub. Avoid heavy pruning.

Will transplanting help an elderberry shrub grow correctly?

If sideways growth is due to poor soil quality, drainage issues, or root damage, transplanting can allow proper reestablishment. Transplant in spring when dormant.

Should I fertilize my elderberry shrub to fix sideways growth?

Excess nitrogen can encourage fast, weak growth. Use a balanced, low nitrogen organic fertilizer sparingly in early spring to nourish without over-stimulating.

When should I seek professional help with elderberry growth issues?

If the shrub is declining despite your best efforts, has serious infestations or disease, requires removal, or needs drainage/soil improvements, seek expert assistance.

How long does it take for an elderberry to recover from sideways growth?

With proper care, your elderberry should show signs of improvement in one growing season. Full upright reestablishment can take 1-3 seasons depending on age