Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are familiar. We see them in the grocery store. God has created a multitude of other berries. I feel blessed to have elderberry bushes in my backyard. After reading about the benefits of elderberries I ordered bushes from nursery catalogues. Now I have four bushes and enjoy the different phases as these bushes produce fruit.
In June white lace flowers appear on the branches.
In July the berries begin to form.
The berry clusters ripen at a staggered pace. This bush has berries in different shades of ripeness.
When fully ripe the berries are a deep purple color—almost black.
When the berries are used for jelly or juice, all of the little stems must be removed first.
I pick the berries, remove the stems and freeze them until I have enough quantity to make a juice/syrup for the winter. My recipe for canning elderberry juice is here.
Linking with A Little R & R, Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural, Tuesdays with a Twist, Sue’s Wordless Wednesday, Nature Notes and Seasons
With so many amazing uses and benefits, it’s so wonderful to have elderberry bushes right in your yard. Thank you for sharing Lacy Loveliness of the Elderberry Bush at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m Pinning and sharing!
This made me remember that is is a bush I want to research about adding to my garden. I remember the jelly my grandmother used to make from these and other berries… Michelle
Wonderful photos.
Beautiful trees, and the juice have a wonderful aroma.
Hello, I think I have seen these growing wild in my area. I will have to go back and check the woods. Lovely images of the berries. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!
I sometimes drink tea with elderberries in it. Now I know what they look like. Thanks for that.
The lacy flowers are so beautiful! thank you for sharing your recipe for juice and canning with SEASONS have a great and productive (aka delicious) week:)
Those look devine! Have a great week!
http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2016/08/buttermilk-syrup.html
To the best of my knowledge, I’ve never tasted elderberries. I’m not sure if they grow in this area. Will have to put elderberries on my bucket list.
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/08/cats-consumate-contortionists.html
Elderberries are best when made into juice or jelly. From my book on wild berries: “Elderberries have a somewhat musty flavor when sampled raw… don’t taste more than one or two raw though; many people get an upset stomach from raw elderberries.” The little stems and the stones of the elderberry cause the upset. But the ingredients in the berry itself are a health benefit in fighting off the flu according to research done in Israel. I can the elderberry juice for my grandchildren–when you add raw honey to the juice it helps to fight colds & flu.