I'm trying to figure out what to do with a couple of elderberries I have, and would appreciate just about anything anyone has to say about elderberry bushes.
I have a spot in the yard that is in partial shade where several fences and a retaining wall come together, and I wanted a decent size shrub to block the view (around 6 to 8 feet would be ideal). Last fall, I found a Black Beauty elderberry on sale quite cheap and I picked it up for the location. So far, it has grown well but has gotten quite a bit wider than tall, and is pretty much green instead of black. I don't actually care too much about the color, so long as it is healthy. I have not yet seen how it takes the full heat of summer, due to our oddly cool and wet spring. The more I have read about elderberry, it sounds like this European variety may not be the greatest choice for Texas. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Also, this spring I went to the Grapevine Gardening Club's plant sale and picked up a small seedling marked just "elderberry". I'm guessing that it is the American variety? I have it in a large pot, and it is growing quickly. It is more vertical and more pure green than the black beauty variety. How big will this variety get?
I'm trying to figure out what to do with these. Should I replace the Black Beauty with the (hopefully) American version? Also, the spot where it is planted is just over the fence from my neighbor's yard. How invasive are these varieties? I was originally thinking about planting the American one along the edge of the woods behind my house. Is that a good idea, or would it be bettery to move the Black Beauty back there? Also, will a single specimen produce any fruit?
Any ideas or suggestions are very welcome and appreciated!
Dennis
Elderberry questions
The American Elder does sucker, so too close to the neighbor's yard might be a problem. I have one I believe is American Elder. When suckers come up I just dig them up and trade them or give them away. For fruit I THINK that it's good to have two which are not clones for cross-pollination. Not sure about different species like you have...that might not work. Mine has bloomed for two years and no fruit yet. But I don't have another for cross-pollination, either.
I have the American Elderberry, Sambucus nigra, and I like it very much, it does sucker some but very easy to control, and as Linda said, great to pot and give to others. I have three of them, I used to get the fruit and make delicious jam, but now the birds and the squirrels get them all.
Josephine.