There is smaller tree in the back hedge - another one where the berries are stolen far to quickly. No Elders at all around the meadow which is a shame.
Close up they are not all white as they seem from a distance.
I wrote a whole post about the folklore of Elder Trees HERE back in September last year. I didn't have the Flower Fairies book then so here's the illustration painted so many years ago
And the poem that accompanies the picture
Years ago at the smallholding, where we had many Elders all around the 4 acre meadow, I used to make a bottle of Elderflower Cordial- which is delicious, but after the syrup worked so well to keep colds away last winter that's what I want to do again..
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I have bushes or small trees that I have always been told were called Box Elders. I have never seen the white flowers on them or berries. They usually grow in our fence line. They often have black and bright reddish/orange striped beetles on them that my mom always called box elder bugs. These plants look just like the plants in your photos. At first glance, before counting the leaves I have sometimes jumped back thinking for a second they are poison ivy. I will have to check more often and see if I can find any with flowers on them.
ReplyDeleteI googled Box Elder - it's not the same as Elders in this country. Box Elder is a member of the acer or Maple family and is often called Ash-leaf Maple or Maple Ash. Native to N America. So sadly you won't find flowers or berries on the ones you have
Deletei miss my elders that Charlie Chainsaw next door chopped down , we have no hedge or fence between us and next door at the bottom half of the garden , the hedge was untidy he said but he never replaced it
ReplyDeleteSounds like an annoying neighbour
DeleteI don't think it is a good year for Elderflowers this year. They are sparse here, and those we have are very small. Our former next door neighbour annihilated two small, almost bonsaied by their location in a stone hedge, using his machete two years in a row. I don't think they have recovered. It was so useful just stepping out the back door to pick blooms.
ReplyDeleteThey look OK here, just so few trees around the lanes close to home
DeleteI have a sort of elder bush in the garden and the berries are edible. I ought to think about using them really but as they flower on last year's growth, pruning them and keeping the flowers going is tricky.
ReplyDeletexx
They do get quite big for a garden
DeleteI must say that like Rustic Pumpkin I haven't seen much in the way of elderflowers around here this year.
ReplyDeleteI keep looking on the lanes around here to remember where to look for berries
DeleteElders are few and far between in this bit of Scotland. Those I see have not noticed any flowers yet.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you are so far north they are much later, or perhaps too windy
DeleteI am keeping my eyes peeled for some elderflower to make cordial with. X
ReplyDeleteI'm now converted to syrup - it's lovely in winter
DeleteI have not seen an Elder tree here on the Canadian prairies. I do hope you get enough to make your syrup.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.