Tolerant of many garden soils, it must be admitted that when not in bloom or berry it has no particular attraction. Except in very large gardens it is best cultured as a background shrub.
"Elderberries in the yard and an uncle in Kiev," says as an old Russian proverb. Yes ancient, a French soldier declares, "Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries" in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. All of which offers an indication that elderberries were exceedingly popular. In many areas they still are.
Elderberries are produced on a medium to large, somewhat coarse bush Sambucus nigra. Flowering profusely in early to midsummer with scented cream to white flowers, they are followed by equally generous quantities of berries. While still green these are poisonous. Ripening to juicy and black, birds and knowing people gorge on them.
