Elders - the plant, not older people!

The Elder (Sambucus nigra) is common throughout Britain, in hedgerows, wasteland, even in gardens - such as mine.

Its a fantastic plant, a large shrub rather than a tree, and is looking at its best right now. Time to make Elderflower cordial (see my recipe page).

The Elder is an incredibly useful plant, as well as cordial, the flowers can be eaten as fritters and the berries can be made into wine or jam.

There are also numerous medicinal treatments available from this plant including the bark for arthritic conditions, flowers and fruit to treat fever and the leaves and bark for minor burns.

 For the gardener is the use of the leaves as a natural insecticide. Boil 1/2 lt water, add approx 225g elder leaves, simmer 30 mins. With another 1/2lt warm water add 1 tblsp castile (vegetable based) soap. Mix the elder water and the soap water together, strain and use in a sprayer.

Elders are steeped in folklore, plant one near the house to keep the devil away, dont burn the wood or the devil will appear. They were planted around dairy farms to stop the milk turning. Handy tips!

As well as the native plant, there are a number of cultivated varieties including variegated, yellow and black. I have Sambucus Black Beauty in my garden, very quick growing and a real showy plant.

Theres loads more I could tell you about Elders but I think thats enough here.
Dont forget to check the recipe page :)