Description
The Black Elder ‘Haidegg 17’ (Sambucus nigra ‘Haidegg 17’) is an Austrian selection bred as an improvement of the renowned ‘Haschberg’ cultivar. It is notable for its very large berries and consistent productivity. By September, the shrub produces heavy clusters of glossy black fruits, perfect for syrups, juices, jams, and other homemade preparations.
Equally valued for its ornamental and ecological role, it bears fragrant white flowers in May-June that attract pollinators before transforming into decorative fruit clusters. With hardiness down to –35 °C, this elder is a robust and versatile choice for orchards, hedgerows, and natural gardens.
Origin : Austria, derived from ‘Haschberg’.
Family : Adoxaceae.
Notable traits : Large berries, abundant crops, ornamental appeal.
Description : Vigorous, fast-growing, deciduous shrub with pinnate foliage, white umbels, and generous fruiting.
Mature height : 3–5 m.
Mature width : 2–3 m.
Habit : Dense, bushy, vigorous.
Bark : Grey-brown, lightly fissured with age.
Leaves : Pinnate, serrated, green.
Growth rate : Fast.
Hardiness : –35 °C.
Flowering : May–June.
Flowers : Aromatic white umbels, melliferous and decorative.
Fruits : Very large black berries, ripe in September.
Ecology : Supports pollinators and birds.
Exposure : Full sun to partial shade.
Soil : Fertile, fresh but drained, neutral to alkaline.
Preparation : Loosen, enrich with compost, water well.
Spacing : 2.5–3 m.
Soil : Deep, fertile, humus-rich.
Young plants : Regular watering.
Mature plants : Drought tolerant but better yields in fresh soils.
When/how : After harvest, cut old wood, rejuvenate every 6–7 years.
Methods : Cuttings, layering, seeds.
Best use : Hedgerows, orchards, wild gardens.
Companions : Currants, raspberries, pollinator-friendly shrubs.
Flowers used for cordials and teas, berries (cooked) for juices, jams, wines, dyes.
Issues : Aphids, powdery mildew.
Prevention : Airy pruning, natural sprays, biodiversity.
Mulch, water in droughts, plant in fertile soil, combine several shrubs for better yields.
Compared to ‘Haschberg’, ‘Haidegg 17’ produces larger berries and steadier yields. Hardy to –35 °C, it thrives in cold regions.
Available in 1-liter pot ---> here
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