Garden Care Guide

Black Elder Care

Sambucus nigra

A fast-growing native shrub grown for its flowers and ripe fruit (cooked) that likes moist, rich soil. It is wonderful for wildlife, but its leaves and unripe fruit are poisonous; it can be susceptible to aphids.

Hardy · -30 °C / -22 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Fertilizing: Spread well-rotted manure or compost over the soil; do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Main pruning time. Cut one-third of the oldest (3-4 year old) branches at the base. Remove dead, weak and crossing branches. If grown only for its foliage, prune hard to the base (coppicing).
  • Plant protection: Apply dormant oil (mineral oil) against aphid eggs.
  • General care: Propagation can be done with hardwood cuttings.
February
  • Fertilizing: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied. Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Finish pruning work by the end of the month.
  • Plant protection: Before the buds wake up, apply a copper-based preparation against fungal diseases.
  • General care: A suitable month for planting new seedlings.
  • Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings from severe frosts.
March
  • Watering: If the soil begins to dry, 15-20 L/week; reduce if there is rain.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
  • Plant protection: Start checking the new shoots for black aphids; take action before the population increases.
  • General care: Rapid growth begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Aphids are its biggest problem.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: It grows fast.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: The flowers give way to small, green fruit clusters.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Plant protection: In hot and dry weather, check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites.
  • General care: The fruits grow and begin to color. Birds may take an interest in the ripening fruits.
  • Pests & diseases: Insufficient water causes the fruit to stay small or drop.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • General care: The fruits continue to ripen.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • General care: The glossy black fruit clusters are fully ripe; it is harvest time. Netting may be needed to protect them from birds.
  • Pests & diseases: When harvesting the fruits, pick out any that are rotten or spoiled.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • General care: If the harvest is finished, let the plant rest. Clear fallen leaves.
November
  • Plant protection: A copper-based preparation can be applied after leaf fall.
  • General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
  • Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings during the first winter.
December
  • Pruning: The main pruning period can begin.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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