Elderberry cuttings

[Megan]

These seem to be a very divisive plant, we either love or hate them.  For the former, I am happy to send cuttings in autumn to a local area group for distribution amongst anyone who wishes to have some.

Be warned, they can be very invasive and are considered weeds down south. However, elderflower cordial is wonderful and elderberry syrup is good for coughs.

Just send me a pm in autumn and I'll send a bundle of cuttings.

[Jordan Healey]

Hey couldi have a bundle? I have been trying for yonks to get some decent cuttings!

[Megan]

Hello Jordan, pm your address to me.  Meant to go out today to gather but it started bucketing down after lunch, thunder & lightning and a dusting of snow on the Remarkables:) too miserable to venture out. Can't vouch for how good the berries will be, my favourite bushes have been chosen for the fragrance of the blossoms - made elderberry cordial a couple of seasons back and decided I prefer elderflower cordial :)

[Janette Williams]

Hi Megan, what sort of a plant (bush or tree) its it and how big does it grow please? I would love to make elderflower cordial!

[Megan]

hello Janette, there are lots of different varieties and the ones that grow around here are both shrubs and trees. They grow very quickly and around the walking tracks, many have been cut back to the ground so they grow back as multi stemmed shrubs.  If left to their own devices, they can grow to over 15m high. When I collect some cuttings, I'll post them to Jordan who's also in Hamilton & you can divvy them up between you.

[Sue Rostron]

Hi Megan,

I know nothing about Elderberry except that Elderberry syrup or wine sounds familiar. Please could you send me some cuttings too. I live in Hamilton so am happy to pick up from someone else's place if that is easier for you.

[Jordan Healey]

Sweet, sounds like a plan! Sue, i live about 5 mins away too, so i can drop them off one morning on my way to work

[Kate]

Hi

Is your tree the Sambucus nigra variety of elderberry? Is it too late to take cuttings?

Kate

[Megan]

Hello Kate,

The elderberry bushes that I have taken cuttings from are all wild trees so I have absolutely no idea what variety they are. There seems to be two forms that grow down here - one that is more tree like and the others are shrubby. They are on a public walking track and DOC regularly cut them back so the shrubby ones could be the result of being coppiced.

I have a bunch of cuttings ready to send out but got a bit of a shock when I took them to the post office and they wanted over $15 per package to send.  Need to cut them into smaller sections and repackage to try and reduce the cost. When I do get around to sending them out, will send just one package to Matt Moir for folks in Auckland & another to Jordan in Hamilton.

In the unlikely event that they don't take, can get some more cuttings in spring.

[Jordan Healey]

wow! 15 per package?? That seems a bit excessive, i just sent a box containing 4 orchids for 6 dollars down to christchurch....

[Roxy Hart]

Hi Megan, Im wondering if you have any cuttings left? If you do id love some, im in the waikato so could pick them up from Jordan, but i dont mind paying for postage :) I know that people have been asking since april so if you dont have enough left this is fine. Many thanx

[Megan]

Not a problem, am embarrassed to admit I've still not posted them so I'll need to check that Jordan's still willing to be the pick up point - will repackage them this weekend a get them into the post.

[Roxy Hart]

Awesome thank you so very much!