[Ellendra]

Ellendra is your Elderberry expert, BTW.

Not sure I qualify as an expert, but I'm definitely a fan. It was one of the first low-maintenance perennial fruits I planted that actually produced. All the others either didn't produce much, or required constant tending. My elderberry bush took care of itself, and produced faster than I could keep up with. It was years later that I learned it's also a powerful anti-viral herb. My whole family takes elderberry supplements these days, and has done so since long before covid.

[Qiviut]

Not sure I qualify as an expert, but I’m definitely a fan.

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Yay! This means you can answer my questions! So you have one bush? How much room does it take up? Do elder bushes tend to spread on their own? My neighbor said she had them all over her back yard ... I’m assuming she was properly identifying the elder bushes. Do they like full sun or will they grow in shade & how about dirt quality?

If I did grow a bush, it would have to be somewhere I could keep the deer off of it ... not sure I want it out in the raised bed area. I would like to grow my own, but it all depends if I can find a suitable spot.