White elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) – Proposed by AKÈNE
🌿 A generous and ecological native shrub 🌿
The white elderberry , also called Canadian elderberry , is a robust native shrub that can reach 1.5 to 3 meters in height . Its deciduous foliage consists of opposite, serrated leaves , and in summer, it is adorned with large umbels of small, fragrant white flowers , particularly attractive to pollinators .
In late summer, these flowers turn into clusters of purplish-black berries , edible when cooked . Rich in vitamins A and C , they are prized for making syrups, jams and wines .
💡 A versatile shrub, as useful in cooking as it is in supporting biodiversity .
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : June
📏 Height : Up to 300 cm
🌱 Spacing : 500 cm
☀️ Exposure : Sun, partial shade
🌿 Life cycle : Perennial
🌾 Soil type : Loamy to clayey, moist to medium
🦌 Deer Resistance : Low
📦 Seeds per packet : 25
Sowing and cultivation
Canadian elderberry requires a multi-step germination process to mimic natural conditions and ensure good emergence.
🔥 Scarification : Soak the seeds in hot water (80°C) and let them sit for 24 hours at room temperature.
🌡️ Warm stratification : Mix the seeds with moist substrate and store them at room temperature for 60 days away from light.
❄️ Cold stratification : Then transfer the seeds to the refrigerator for 120 days , regularly monitoring humidity and signs of germination.
🌱 Sowing : Once stratification is complete, sow the seeds 5 mm deep in a light, moist substrate.
When the seedlings develop their first true leaves , transplant them into individual pots. Grow them in containers for their entire first season before transplanting them into the ground in the fall.
Medicinal and ecological uses
🍵 Ancestral medicinal plant : The flowers are infused into herbal tea to relieve colds and fever , while the cooked berries are used in syrups and natural remedies for their expectorant and antioxidant properties .
🐝 An asset for biodiversity : The flowers feed pollinators , and the berries are a valuable food source for birds and small mammals in the fall. Elderberry is also appreciated for its role in stabilizing soils , particularly along rivers or in wetlands.
Why grow white elderberry?
🌼 A native melliferous and ornamental shrub
🍇 Tasty and vitamin-rich berries, ideal for cooking
🌿 An ally for biodiversity and soil stabilization
💪 Hardy and easy to maintain once well established
Add a native shrub that is as beautiful as it is useful to your garden, while providing a refuge for pollinators and birds!
