How Do You Propagate Elderberry Plants From Seed?
The elderberry plant is a member of the honeysuckle family. It is a native shrub that grows to about 12 feet tall. The berries of the common elderberry (Sambucus nigra) are edible and are made into wine, jelly, and syrup. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, all parts of the elderberry plant have medicinal properties. The berries are highly nutritious, and the Cahuillas (a Native American tribe) would live on elderberries for weeks, and nothing else. The elderberry plant is easy to grow and provides food and shelter for many species of birds and wildlife. Prepare the nursery flats by filling them with the potting soil. Moisten the soil. Sow the seeds to a density of 35 seeds per square foot. Plant them ΒΌ inch deep in rows, and then cover them with 3/8 inch of sawdust. Plant fresh elderberry seeds in the fall, or plant stratified seeds in the spring. Either way, germination of the elderberry seeds will not occur until the second spring. Place the nursery flat in a s
