At a previous house I had one bush that was a named variety I planted when I was 14. On my farm now I have a few wild ones, but I’m hoping to get a lot more established, both wild and named. At least 2 of the wild ones got hit by herbicide from the neighboring property. They survived but haven’t produced since.
The branches tend to sag outward a lot, so even one bush can take up a lot of space. On the other hand, they don’t seem to mind being a bit crowded. I suggest planting them 6-8 feet apart so you can reach between them.
They produce best with full sun. They don’t seem to mind a bit of shade, but the difference in productivity is pretty drastic. They also tolerate a fairly wide range of soil types. Around here they’re common in medians and roadsides.
If you’re looking at named varieties, I’d recommend looking at ones bred for production. Especially look for one that has clusters that ripen all at once. It’s annoying to have clusters that are ripe, over-ripe, and under-ripe, all mixed together.
Thank you! Just the info I needed to know. Definitely will not be in my raised bed area, but I’ll find a place for a bush or two. I’ve read a lot about Elderberries for medicinal purposes and would like to make my own elderberry syrup.