PRUNE SAMBUCUS

I like to keep the Sambucus (elders) at Longmeadow pruned hard back to a knuckle of established branches. This encourages lots of new growth, which will have the brightest and freshest foliage. It also means the elders never get big enough to shade out and dominate their neighbours. Cornus and willows are pruned in a similar way.

Elder’s small, red-black berries are attractive to birds, and can be made into cordial and wine