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Semences de sureau du blanc - Sambucus canadensis
Semences de sureau du blanc - Sambucus canadensis
Semences de sureau du blanc - Sambucus canadensis
Semences de sureau du blanc - Sambucus canadensis
On sale

Seeds - Common Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Minimum 25 semences par enveloppe

$4.25

$4.25
( / )
Format

Semences par gramme: 581

Année de récolte: 2024


Catégories: comestible, indigène, médicinale, nectarifère, vivace,

Aire de répartition indigène: MB, ON, QC, NB, PE, NS,

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For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a robust native shrub, typically reaching between 1.5 and 3 meters in height. Its leaves are composed of serrated leaflets arranged oppositely along the stems. In summer, common elderberry produces large clusters of small, fragrant white flowers, which are highly attractive to pollinators. By late summer, these flowers transform into clusters of dark purplish-black berries, which are edible once fully ripe and cooked, adding a touch of colour and interest to naturalistic gardens.

Medicinal and culinary uses
Common elderberry has diaphoretic, laxative, and expectorant properties. The flowers can be used in infusions to treat colds and fevers, while the berries, rich in vitamins A and C, can be cooked to make syrup, jam, and wine. It is essential to cook the berries before consuming them, as they contain slightly toxic compounds when raw.

Ecological roles
Common elderberry plays an important ecological role by providing food and habitat for various animals. The flowers attract many pollinators, including bees, while the berries nourish birds and small mammals in the fall. In addition to supporting biodiversity, this shrub helps stabilize soils, especially in riparian zones, thus contributing to erosion prevention.

Common elderberry seeds require warm stratification followed by cold stratification to ensure germination. See the cultivation notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.

Growing Notes | Seeds - Common Elderberry

Starting elderberry seeds is a process that requires several steps, but the result is extremely satisfying. You will indeed be rewarded for your preparation efforts by this shrub's rapid growth once germination is successful.

To germinate, Canadian elderberry seeds require an initial scarification, a 60-day warm stratification, followed by a 120-day cold stratification. We are attempting here to replicate the steps that occur in nature once the fruit has fallen to the ground or been digested by an animal.

Scarification: Place the seeds in a bowl, then pour hot water at about 80°C, enough to cover the seeds under 1 or 2 cm of water. Let the water cool and allow the seeds to soak at room temperature for 24 hours.

Warm Stratification: Next, mix the seeds with a moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite, or sand) and place them in a plastic bag, which you will keep at room temperature, but out of direct light for 60 days. The substrate should be slightly moist, not soggy, to prevent mold formation during this process. Occasionally check on the seeds to ensure everything is under control.

Cold Stratification: After warm stratification, place the plastic bag in the refrigerator for a period of 120 days. Again, you can check the condition of the seeds from time to time to verify that the substrate remains moist or if the seeds start to germinate, which can sometimes happen during this step.

At the end of this stratification period, you can then sow the seeds 5 mm deep. Do not let the seedlings dry out while they establish themselves.

Transplant the seedlings into individual pots when the first true leaves appear, and then again into a 1-gallon pot in the spring. Grow them in containers throughout their first season before replanting them in the ground in the fall.

Seeds per packet: 25

Family: Viburnaceae

Scientific name: Sambucus canadensis

Life cycle: Perennial

Hardiness zone: 3

Soil type: Silty to clayey

Soil moisture level: Medium to humid

Soil - additional attributes:

Light: Sun, partial shade

Blooming: June

Spacing: 500 cm

Height: 300 cm

Deer resistance: Low

Stratification: Hot 60 days, then cold 120 days

Scarification: Sanding

Germination time: 15 to 20 days

Sowing depth: 5 mm