What Kind of Fertilizer Do You Put on Elderberry Bushes?

Types

• All parts of elderberry plants are poisonous and cause stomach discomfort if eaten. The notable exception is the ripe fruits, which are edible. While a couple dozen species of elderberry exist, only three species are commonly grown or encountered in the United States. Each species may have cultivars that are more ornamental with improved physical characteristics for gardeners to choose to grow. American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), European red elder (S. racemosa) and the European black elder (S. nigra) all prosper under similar general growing conditions.

Soil Considerations

• In nature, elderberry shrubs grow along woodland edges in thickets or as upward-growing bushes in sunny forest openings. Any moderately fertile, moist but well-draining soil suffices. If other woodland plants are growing healthfully in the soil, the ground is adequate for elderberry vitality. Avoid soggy soils, or those that are highly alkaline. The latter soils may lead to chlorosis, which is seen as unhealthy leaf yellowing because of the unavailability of certain micronutrients, such as iron, magnesium or manganese.

Organic Insight

• Because elderberries grow naturally in woodlands, leaf litter and organic debris builds up on the soil, creating humus. Decomposing organic matter provides nutrients to roots, supplementing the nutrients naturally available in the soil. Placing and maintaining a 3- to 4 -inch layer of organic matter, such as bark nuggets, diminishes the need for synthetic fertilizers. Scattering compost and well-rotted manure across the mulch in early spring and early summer provides additional nutrients and humus to the garden for elderberry shrubs to utilize.

Fertilizers

• Any well-balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer suffices if you wish to fertilizer elderberry shrubs. The product may be organic or synthetic in composition. A well-balanced formula supplies even amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as various trace amounts of a wide array of micronutrients. An 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 formulation is fine. Often you can look at fertilizer product labels to find out if they are geared for general landscape use or for trees and shrubs. Either is acceptable for use on elderberry plants. Consult the label for precise dosage based on the time of year and the size of the elderberry. Don't use water-soluble fertilizers, as they quickly leach from the soil, away from surface-dwelling plant roots. Scattering 2 oz. to 1 lb. of ammonium nitrate to the soil every early spring is beneficial if you are promoting fruit production on elderberries, according to Penn State University.