Since the "Hugo" drink has been booming, many people have wanted to grow elderberry themselves. So here are tips on cultivation and care and also a recipe for elderflower syrup.
Every year between May and June, white-yellowish elderberry umbels bloom on the elderberry bushes, which grow up to 7 meters high. These umbels can be processed into all kinds of delicacies, but when the umbels are harvested at this point on the bush in September, vitamin-rich elderberries will no longer form. However, if you have several elderflower bushes at home, then that shouldn't be a problem.
To ensure that your elder grows splendidly and you can harvest lots of berries and flowers, we have put together important care instructions for the elder here. And you can also find a recipe for making elderflower syrup here.
Plant elder bush
Elderflowers clearly benefit from the warming rays of the sun, which is why you should plant the elderberry bush in as sunny a location as possible with minimal partial shade. But it also thrives in the shade. In addition, he does not make any demands on the soil conditions, but clay soils are clearly preferred. In addition, the elder prefers to grow near buildings, walls or dense fences.
Warning:
The elder spreads quickly in height and width, which means that other plants in its vicinity can often only thrive moderately.
Care for the Elderberry
➤ Fertilize:
The robust elder hardly ever needs fertilization. However, the flowering will be even more lush next year if you work some compost around the plant trunk in the fall.
➤ Pruning:
You must also regularly make a topiary and cut back the trunk of the elderberry. However, the elder does not like it when it is cut back too much, which is why you should do this work in several sections (spread over the year).
By the way:
If you fell an elder bush, new shoots usually sprout again after a short time. Therefore, if removal is necessary, you must always dig out the entire root from the ground.
Effectiveness of Elderberry
Elderflowers are considered natural for decadespanacea became famous. For example, a blossom tea made from it is suitable for strengthening the immune system. Elderberry tea also has a detoxifying and purifying effect, which is why it is often used in diets. But you can also drink it when you have a cold or fever.
Making Elderflower Syrup
If you make a syrup from the elderflowers, you can also mix it with mineral water to make an extremely tasty and refreshing drink for the summer months. If you add some sparkling wine on top of that, the result is the cult drink "Hugo". So get to work and make your own elderflower syrup. This is also a great homemade gift from the garden. How to do it:
- Wash 25 blossomed umbels.
- Finely slice two unwaxed lemons.
- Soak the lemon slices and flower umbels in 3 liters of water. Let the whole thing steep for about 36 hours.
- Then drain and boil the elderberry water with 2 kilograms of sugar.
- Pour the warm syrup into clean (boiled) glass bottles and close them tightly. The syrup will now keep for up to 6 months if stored in a cool place.