The Black Elderberry, European Elderberry – Sambucus Nigra
By Ewa Bekiesch, DipSustLiv (UTAS) Holistic Gardening Coach | Healthy Food Advocate YouTube & Instagram: @CuriousGardensAU — Where every leaf holds a secret, and every root tells a story. Join the conversation! Seeds, Cuttings & Plants: foodforestseeds.au
Mythical… Magical… Medicinal… Beautiful… Delicious… And it loves to grow in our backyards all over Australia!
The Black Elderberry, The European Elderberry – Sambucus nigra
I don’t see many of them growing around, which is why I’d love to share some information about this beautiful and useful plant. It’s very pretty, frost-resistant, loved by bees and chickens, and has countless uses!
According to Wolf-Dieter Storl (a trained professional anthropologist), the Black Elderberry was a faithful companion of ancient healers and a friend to people worldwide since the Stone Age. The elderberry tree was considered a gateway to the kingdom of the goddess Frau Holle and the entrance to the realm of ancient peoples.
It was a vital healing plant and served as the farmers’ “pharmacy tree.” The flowers, fruits, bark, and branches were used in many ways. Ancient people also believed it could heal through its energy, absorbing illness and negative energy—either through direct contact or proximity. For this reason, it was always planted near houses or at the entrance.
Today, it remains a popular plant in traditional European medicine, used to fight colds and flu. Its flowers and berries have antiviral and immune-strengthening properties and are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
We have several of these beautiful and useful trees/shrubs growing on our permaculture homestead, and I’m still planting more! Our chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, and geese love hiding beneath them and enjoying the shade for most of the day. Native and honey bees adore the blossoms, birds feast on the berries, and because the shrub is abundant with flowers and fruit, there’s enough for everyone—including us!
It grows quickly and easily in nitrogen-rich soil, thriving in a good mix with blood and bone meal. Planting it near a chicken coop will reward you with abundant flowers and berries for most of the year.
The flowers and berries are delicious and versatile—use them in fritters, tea, wine, syrup, cordial, tincture, jelly, jam, chutney, soup, sauce, liqueur, sparkling wine, and more!
We propagate and sell Sambucus nigra in our online shop at www.foodforestseeds.au. If you’d like to add a little magic to your backyard, you can order one there.
Note: Do not confuse Sambucus nigra with the American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). They look very similar, but parts of the American Elderberry are poisonous.
Here are a couple of links to my Elderberry recipes:
Disclaimer:Â Please note that any information provided here is for educational purposes only. Always research thoroughly before consuming or using any new plant.