How to Renew Elderberry - Wildlife Gardeners

Helianthus · 10-14-2020, 11:32 AM

I have two massive elderberry bushes that I planted way back in 2012. They have grown very well for many years and put out a lot of fruit that I've used to make some great wine. The past two years, though, they have declined a lot with lots of dead canes on them and less and less fruit. I was wondering if there is some kind of pruning/ feeding I could do to help them bounce back? Or is it just kind of inevitable for the plant to decline after so many years.

NEWisc · 10-14-2020, 12:46 PM

It is generally considered a "short lived" plant. So I would think that experimenting with some pruning to get some new growth would be worth trying. Perhaps something like cutting out all of the large trunks and even thinning the remaining stems. This kind of pruning is often used to rejuvenate lilacs.

Look to see if you have some seedlings coming up around your bushes. Growth from seeds produces the strongest and most vigorous plants. Seeds remain viable in the soil for many years.

One caveat on the pruning; the pith in elderberry stems is easily removed so it is a favorite nesting site for many native bees.

skip1909 · 10-15-2020, 07:57 AM

I have seen recommendations to cut the whole plant back to the ground every year or every 2 years.

Helianthus · 10-16-2020, 11:21 AM

I know ants and bees like nesting in the hollow canes, so I will save those. I think I'll go with a hard pruning in late winter with some heavy compost mulching and hope for the best. I made some new divisions this year, so I could just plant those. I don't have a lot of real estate for another massive bush, though, and my wife isn't into them anyway. Hmmmm

10-14-2020, 11:32 AM	#1
Helianthus Lungwort Join Date: May 2012 Location: Alexandria, VA	How to Renew Elderberry I have two massive elderberry bushes that I planted way back in 2012. They have grown very well for many years and put out a lot of fruit that I've used to make some great wine. The past two years, though, they have declined a lot with lots of dead canes on them and less and less fruit. I was wondering if there is some kind of pruning/ feeding I could do to help them bounce back? Or is it just kind of inevitable for the plant to decline after so many years.

10-14-2020, 12:46 PM	#2
NEWisc Fox Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin	It is generally considered a "short lived" plant. So I would think that experimenting with some pruning to get some new growth would be worth trying. Perhaps something like cutting out all of the large trunks and even thinning the remaining stems. This kind of pruning is often used to rejuvenate lilacs. Look to see if you have some seedlings coming up around your bushes. Growth from seeds produces the strongest and most vigorous plants. Seeds remain viable in the soil for many years. One caveat on the pruning; the pith in elderberry stems is easily removed so it is a favorite nesting site for many native bees. __________________ . Age is a biological fact. Old is a state of mind. I will age, but I refuse to get old.

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10-15-2020, 07:57 AM	#3
skip1909 Grub Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: NJ	I have seen recommendations to cut the whole plant back to the ground every year or every 2 years.

10-16-2020, 11:21 AM	#4
Helianthus Lungwort Join Date: May 2012 Location: Alexandria, VA	I know ants and bees like nesting in the hollow canes, so I will save those. I think I'll go with a hard pruning in late winter with some heavy compost mulching and hope for the best. I made some new divisions this year, so I could just plant those. I don't have a lot of real estate for another massive bush, though, and my wife isn't into them anyway. Hmmmm