Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

The native Canadian or Black Elderberry is a wonderful friend to have in the garden. Not only does it provide berries for the birds, they are also delicious in pies, jellies, deserts and wines. The flowers open in July, about the time when our native red elderberry is bearing fruit, and the black fruit (which should be cooked before being consumed) ripens in August. The flowers have long been used by mothers as a fever reducing tea for their children and the berries were made into anti-viral syrup for the cold and flu season. Bunches of the ill-scented leaves were once hung near outhouses and around barns to deter flies and other flying insects.