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Sambucus Mexicana

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starch:
This is a question geared more toward the Southwest US growers (based on my climate here near Phoenix), but I wanted to see if anyone has experience with the Mexican Elderberry / Blue Elderberry (Sambucus Mexicana / Sambucus Nigra Caerulea).

I have a spot in my yard that gets baking hot in the summer (western exposure along an eastern block wall, so a lot of direct and indirect/reflected heat in summer afternoons). Instead of trying to adapt this spot to try to grow something more tropical, I wanted to go with a native plant to this area. But I still want it to be a fruit tree / shrub. I was considering a pomegranate but I already have a few and want to try something different.

So it seems to me than an Elderberry would be a good fit. For the past couple of years around cold season my wife picks up Elderberry syrup from the store and it really does seem to help with reducing winter time sicknesses. So there is a desire from me to attempt to make my own. The flavor is very deep and rich sweet-tart. I think it would make a really good pie too.

Does anyone have experience growing these and harvesting these? Positive or negative thoughts? Based on other articles it seems like it would take summer heat in full sun, would you agree?

Viking Guy:
Planted one 10 years ago.

Now, have more than 100.

NOTHING save a nuclear disaster kills it, and I bet even that won't.  Want to propagate it?  No problem.  Cut off a branch and throw it on the ground somewhere.  You'll have a new tree in no time.

If you have birds, they will gladly distribute the berries over your entire property and ensure you have dozens more sprouting right away next to your american beauty berries.

At least if you cut them, you can have the pleasure of watching them bleed.  At least until the milky sap sours and attracts fruit flies.

I hear the berry has health benefits.

Keep in a pot, and BURN all prunings.

starch:
Adam,

Thanks for the feedback. I am sorry that it has become so invasive for you. I now understand the issues associated with this plant. If I do plant one, I will take your advice and plant in a pot and be conscious with what I do with any clippings.

Speaking of berries: I have been following your threads regarding your blueberry 'tree' and your goal of protecting the name (either through a patent or a naming registry). I really hope that works out! And when you are ready to start selling plants / cuttings I would love to try it out here in the desert. I will of course need to put it in a separate planter (we have high pH soil here and I will need something dedicated and acidic), but I have been looking for a low chill blueberry variety and yours looks like a real honest to goodness gem!

Viking Guy:
You bet.  I can't wait to get this into the hands of others.

I am starting to air layer it now and conduct some trials.

It seems to be both drought and wet tolerant.  I think it will do just fine for you.

As for the elderberry, it makes new growth off the roots as well.  Pretty much the tree version of bindweed.  Definitely always in a pot.  I've had a new tree form just from a broken piece of bark.

stormin:
When I used to live in New Mexico my family had several Mexican Elderberries around the yard. They're pretty hardy and easy to care for. But now there is no longer any on my mother's property, over the years they have all perished. One tree was blown over onto our driveway by a dust devil, while I was still living there, the rest died off from some sort of disease or pest (I have moved away by then). The last one lived for about 17 years.

Here's a link for info from my old uni, go Aggies! :)
http://aces.nmsu.edu/county/donaana/mastergardener/documents/mexican-elderberry.pdf

As for the fruit, we've actually never tried them.

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