We’re currently running an black, red & blue elderberry collection special…. https://www.etsy.com/listing/793935579/elderberry-collection-50-american-black American Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) - 50 Seeds Heirloom Non-GMO American grown seeds Perennial USDA Zones: 3-9 Description: Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) was an interesting choice for herb of the year 2013. Each year the International Herb Association puts the focus on a worthy herb and, as they said, It’s time to respect your Elder. These are attractive shrubs, but more than that, they are useful & very versatile. The flowers & berries can be used to make tea, syrup & even medicinal tinctures. Of course, you could grow them just for their ornamental value & let the birds & bees enjoy the rest. Medicinal Properties: Elderberries are clinically proven to boost your immune system & are extremely useful for fighting the flu. It contains compounds that keep the flu virus from attaching to the cell, so it can shorten the duration of your illness & possibly lesson the severity. Culinary Uses: Elderberries are considered minor fruits, in comparison to blueberries, raspberries & blackberries. Although raw blue & purple elderberries are bitter & unpleasant tasting if eaten raw, & contain alkaloids that may cause nausea, they can be cooked or processed to make jams, jellies, wine, pies, flavored vinegars & teas. Uses for elderberry syrup include as a homemade soda base, a mixer for cocktails, an immune system booster, a base for elderberry ice cream, as a garnish for other ice creams, or as a glaze for poultry. Elderberry syrup is also great in a classic Cumberland sauce. Planting Instructions: By far the easiest method is to direct sow outdoors in the fall & let Mother Nature do it’s thing over the winter to break the dormancy. Sow at 1/4 depth, 10 feet apart, & 3-4 seeds per plant. Keep moist, but not wet. INDOORS: Starting inside, elderberry is a long term, multiple stage process that needs BOTH scarification (soaking) & stratification (warm/cold treatment) to break the dormancy. Basically, we’re trying to replicate what occurs naturally in nature ( berries fall, rot, seeds warm over late summer & fall, go through the winter to break dormancy, & then germinate in the spring). It’s a long process, but one that we find is extremely rewarding. Elderberry is finicky & it’s such a gratifying feeling when you first see seedlings pop up. STAGE 1 - SCARIFICATION The slower, but safer & easier method is to soak the seeds in HOT (175F) water for 10 minutes, allow to cool & continue to soak at room temperature for 24 hours. The fastest method is to soak the seeds in sulfuric acid for 10 mins & then thoroughly rinse. The seeds are then ready for Stage 2. STAGE 2 - WARM STRATIFICATION After the soaking (scarification), the seeds will need to go through a warm period. in a plastic container or zip lock bag, fill it partially with peat moss. Next, put a layer of paper towel down on top of the
