Elder Flowers (forum)

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Hi, I recently bought an Elder tree, and it has grown very rapidly and flowered, which is great. The concern is; the flowers don't have any smell, and I thought they would be very highly perfumed to make cordial with. I am dissapointed and wonder whether anyone can tell me why this might be? Also, when all of the flowers die off, no berries form. Is this usual?

Time: 24th January 2013 7:49pm

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About the Author Paula
Sydney
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Julie says...
Elder won't form berries where the climate is too warm. They grow and flower in Perth,but only form berries further south.

I don't recall the flowers as having much of a perfume at all, but haven't grown one for a while.

Time: 24th January 2013 9:55pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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David says...
I can tell you they both fruit and flower here in Brisbane

Time: 24th January 2013 11:03pm

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Julie says...
Weird things seem to happen in Brisbane!

Time: 25th January 2013 9:36pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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amanda says...
I want to plant these too - I have a recipe for e/flower champagne which sounds fun to have a go at making - and drinking of course..!?

I have read that good strains smell like "summer" and bad one's like cat's pee...!?

These guys are chatting about the scent too...maybe they don't smell the same in a humid climate..? (just guessing there tho..)

http://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/forum/topics/elderflower-seeds?id=2047708%3ATopic%3A80732&page=2#comments


Time: 27th January 2013 11:36am

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About the Author amanda19
Leschenault (160kms south of Perth)
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Julie says...
Should do well for you amanda. Grew well here too, lots of flowers, but no berries.

Read something about planting near a compost heap? Can't remember now.

Time: 27th January 2013 8:03pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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Toni-Maree says...
I really would like a whole wall of Elderflower trees as now owning a vineyard we could really get excited about making Elderflower champagne, wine, jellies... d
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Time: 3rd October 2013 11:47am

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About the Author ToniMaree1
Canungra Valley
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John Mc says...
I pulled a very large one out of the ground not long ago and now there is a mass carpet of small plants suckering up off the old root system. They go ape here, with very large white flower clusters (next to no scent) followed by a mass of black berries that are not all that tasty.
I'd like to get my hands on the pink variety not long released.

Time: 5th October 2013 9:54pm

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amanda says...
Did you have just the one plant John Mc..?
I was told that you need two for x-pollination and thus the berries..?

Time: 7th October 2013 11:03am

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About the Author amanda19
Leschenault (150km south of Perth)
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John Mc says...
Elderberry are very common around here, My plants were from the same source. If they need cross pollination to set fruit, it would be from a neighbouring bush.

Time: 7th October 2013 3:29pm

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Mike says...
It sounds like there is much respect for elders.

Time: 8th October 2013 8:10am

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John Mc says...
I only acquired one to make Elderberry wine that I saw on River Cottage once, but never got around to making it.
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Time: 8th October 2013 9:19pm

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Julie says...
I would like to make some elderflower sparkling wine, but I have one very small problem !! No flowers. does any one have any flowers that I could beg, buy or borrow to make some wine?
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Time: 16th October 2016 8:56am

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About the Author Julie
McDowall
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Aussie says...
I'm trying to source some elder flowers for syrup making in Adelaide. Haven't even been able to see a floret! Can anyone help?

Time: 24th October 2016 1:34pm

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About the Author Aussie
Lower Mitcham 5062
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loewenzahn says...
I think that most of the elderberries sold in Australia are sterile. That is the reason they are called elderflower - nevertheless nurseries still describe the value of the fruit. Does anyone know more?

Time: 4th January 2017 12:37pm

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About the Author loewenzahn
KATOOMBA,2780,NSW
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Jenny M says...
Does anyone know where I can purchase an elderflower bush to plant at my property. Would like flowers to make syrup. Brisbane or Tamborine nurseries???

Time: 1st June 2017 8:42pm

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Tamborine
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Susie says...
I too have this question re scent. I lived in Switzerland for years and loved making the cordial and liquor but here my plant that looks exactly the same has no scent... does anyone have highly fragrant flowers in Australia? The Swiss ones were full of pollen ( developed allergy asmtha one year because of it) and smelt so sweet. Thanks

Time: 1st October 2018 11:45pm

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About the Author Susie
Dunsborough
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Susie says...
I too have this question re scent. I lived in Switzerland for years and loved making the cordial and liquor but here my plant that looks exactly the same has no scent... does anyone have highly fragrant flowers in Australia? The Swiss ones were full of pollen ( developed allergy asmtha one year because of it) and smelt so sweet. Thanks

Time: 1st October 2018 11:45pm

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Dunsborough
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Bruce says...
I live in Perth and My elderberry didn't have any berries until I planted another tree and now I have lots of berries they need to cross pollinate with another tree

Time: 21st December 2019 11:41am

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Samson
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NZ Bronwyn says...
I live in Tokoroa, NZ. and I bought an elderberry tree. It grew rapidly and has flowered and has masses of berries. But, it too has no scent or pollen! I cooked up a batch of cordial, but it had no perfume or flavour!
My German friends a few km away have flowering elderberries with a very strong perfume, and we all usually make cordial from theirs, but mine is a dud! Now I don’t know if the berries will be any good to use.....they are ready now, nice and black!
So, nothing to do with climate or 2 trees, I dont think. Our climate is frosty in winter and 25-30 degrees in summer.

Time: 4th February 2020 6:41am

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About the Author NZ Bronwyn
Nth Island, NZ
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beautifulfiona says...
i think its about the climate it affect how your plants grow or how you take care of it too much or lack of sunlight, water or proper care

Time: 20th February 2020 11:12am

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About the Author beautifulfiona
sydney
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Chargrill says...
There is something wrong with my Elderberry too. On the Gold Coast, QLD, a couple of years old, it flowers perfectly, but has little scent. Then after flowering, a few green seeds appear (refer photo), no fruit. Seeds before fruit? I guess the hard green balls are fruit, but not what is expected and they don't turn black. I have seen elderberry fruiting in the wild 10 km away, so it is not the climate. Any ideas?
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Time: 9th March 2020 10:40am

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Robina
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