Elderberries in landscaping? Anyone tried this?
Just saw this article about using edible plants for landscaping. Elderberries are mentioned as a great option. I've been thinking about adding some to my yard. Anyone here have experience with elderberry bushes? Do they attract a lot of pests? https://example.com/elderberry-landscaping
Elderberries are awesome! They're hardy and the flowers are pretty. Plus you can make syrup or tea. Just make sure you cook the berries before eating - raw ones can cause nausea. Also, they do attract birds, but that's a plus for me.
I'm skeptical. Landscaping with food plants sounds nice but what about maintenance? Elderberries can get leggy and need pruning. Also, if you're in a city, soil might be contaminated. I'd rather stick with non-edible ornamentals and buy organic supplements.
Good points, UrbanUma. I'm in the suburbs so soil should be ok. Indigo, thanks for the tip about cooking! Do you have a favorite elderberry supplement brand? I'm thinking of making my own but might just buy gummies for convenience.
I make my own syrup, but for gummies I like the brand 'Gaia Herbs' - they're organic and don't have a ton of sugar. But honestly, homegrown is always best if you can do it! Just be patient - bushes take a couple years to produce.