Elder

A Seasonal Celebration of the Land, Garden & Nature

Midsummer, Wildflower Verges, Warmth & Light, Evening Walks, Summer's Height, Blackbirds Singing, Elderflower Scent, Fledglings, Roses, Bursting Colour 

Issue 17 June 2020

Elder

"Summer has not arrived until elderflower is in full bloom 

and ends when the berries are ripe."

Summer has arrived and despite the cloudier weather over these last few days we are promised more sunshine and long bright days to come.

In this blog I want to tell you about Elder or Sambucus nigra. It's a fantastic native shrub and pretty common on chalk and limestone landscapes, particularly in the south of the UK. You'll see it growing in woods and hedgerows, on chalk downs and often near rabbit warrens. Although, apparently elder doesn't grow in Ireland - unless any Irish readers can advise me otherwise!

The medicinal value of Elder has long been valued and it was known as the 'medicine chest of the country people.' The flowers and berries are the medicinally valuable parts but both have to be removed from the stems which are slightly toxic. 

Elderflowers

At this time of year, I love the powdery scent of the elderflowers. For me they are a significant part of summer. My enjoyment of them is heightened by the knowledge that they only flower for a short seasonal period and we've got to enjoy them while they are here. 

If you look closely, each flat-topped elderflower comprises many tiny white blooms, each the shape of a child-drawn flower - they remind me of the iconic Mary Quant logo. These tiny blooms are joined together by an umbrella-shaped system of stems, forming umbel-like clusters. It's these fragrant and frothy white flowers that are used to make elderflower cordial and elderflower champagne.

Making elderflower cordial is a lovely midsummer tradition. There are plenty of recipes available online but essentially you'll need sugar, water, lemon and perhaps citrc acid. You want to use flowers with lots of pollen so it's best to go out early on a sunny day to gather. I only take a few flowerheads from each elder bush making sure there's plenty left for the pollinators. 

Remember if you harvest all the flowers there'll be no berries in the Autumn - CRISIS!!! So the rule is only take what you need.

Elderflower champagne still eludes me. I've tried twice to make it but on both occasions ended up with a mouldy, spoiled concoction. So for now I'm sticking with elderflower cordial! It works well added to fairycakes, served with Prosecco and in Laverstoke gin cocktails - so all good!!! 

The flowers can also be dipped in a light sweet batter and deep fried - just make sure you shake off any small bugs first!

Elderflowers are high in compounds that are anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory. Great for soothing inflamed sinuses and respiratory tract. I'm sure it's no coincidence that elderflowers bloom in time for the hayfever season. The flowers also make a great remedy for colds and flu as they're slightly antiviral, cause perspiration and dry up mucus. Traditionally to break a cold or flu, you were sent to bed with a hot elderflower infusion, to sweat it out.

I also read that steeping unopened flowers buds in hot cider vinegar, produces an effective remedy for sore throats.

Thus year I think I might try drying a few flowerheads to use later on. To dry, harvest the flowers by the bunch, lay out to dry completely, then crumble off the flowers, discarding the stems.

Elderberries

In the Autumn the elder is laden with antioxidant rich elderberries that can be used to make jams, dark berry drinks and wine.  It's these elderberries that I think are a little bit magic. Rich in vitamins A & C and antioxidants, the berries have antiviral properties. They boost your immune system and recent research suggests that the berries can stop viruses from attaching to your airways, preventing them from becoming established or replicating. 

Make the berries into a cordial with honey, ginger, cinnamon or thyme (to suit your taste) and take to ward off colds and flu.

More about elderberries in the Autumn but in the meantime please remember not to eat unripe berries which can make you poorly. 

ROOTS

Elder has a rich folk tradition, shrouded in superstition, respected for its healing properties, yet feared as well as revered. 

Also called 'Queen of the Trees' and the 'Witches's Tree', it is considered a tree of wisdom and in many countries the elder is thought to have magical properties. 

Tradition says you must ask permission from The Elder Mother, a guardian spirit residing in the elder, before chopping down any wood. Failure to do so will incur her wrath and she will wreak havoc.  

It was considered bad luck to bring elder indoors or to burn elder wood, yet  planted close to the house elder was purported to bring protection.

Whatever your beliefs about the magical properties of this native plant, there's no denying it's value as a source of pollen, flowers and berries - whether you decide to harvest, eat, watch or just enjoy this special plant, is your choice.

However you decide to spend your days do try and get outside safely if you can - in your garden or on a balcony or outside away from others under big skies. Let me know what June highlights you spot and/or photograph

If you have any questions you can reach me via my website www.plotgardendesign.co.uk and please follow/like PLOT Garden Design on social media to receive my seasonal updates and photo

Keep well, breathe and remember to look outside and notice the details.