Stories of elderberry

Since prehistoric times, plants have accompanied men in their daily activities. As a shrub on the edge of the human habitat, the elder has many facets. Nourishing, medicinal, utilitarian, artistic, it was once linked to the protective or evil forces of nature.

A close companion

A familiar silhouette, the black elder, Sambucus nigra, can be seen in open hedges, in the back of gardens, along paths. A guest of ruins, of abandoned houses with collapsed roofs, a lover of nitrogen-rich soil, it follows man in his daily life. Close by its habitat, this shrub is also close by its uses. Its large trays of tiny white flowers, its long hollow stems in sprays, its short, thick, tortuous trunk; but also its malodorous foliage, its marked bark, and its small dark fruits; everything in it is used. From time immemorial, men have appreciated its multiple properties, with caution, sometimes with concern, in the right dose, to avoid possible toxicities. They have also learned not to confuse it with the heathy elder, Sambucus ebulus, a toxic herb.

Elderberry recipes

In mid-spring, elderberry inflorescences bloom. Known for lemonade, the flowers are macerated in the sun in water with sugar, lemon, vinegar, they will compose a pleasant sparkling drink. Cooked with sugar, a little agar-agar, they will be tasted in translucent jelly. Soaked in dough, they will resemble the more famous acacia fritters.

At the end of summer, elderberries are harvested. Raw, and not very mature, they are purgative and vomiting. Ripe, cooked with sugar or honey, they will be used to prepare the elderberry rob, half jam half syrup, very old recipe, with a particular taste. They also take part in the grenadine syrup, alongside raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, strawberries, lemon. And if flowers and berries were not enough, the very young shoots were also consumed, cooked in several waters they appeared at the sides of the "vegetable herbs". Their medicinal properties made the recipe look like a doctor's prescription.

Medicinal properties

The elderberry lists many medicinal properties, from the leaves, to the flowers, to the fruits, to the inner bark, it concentrates for a single shrub many active substances. To use with precautions, and right dosages, the intoxications being real. Any use of medicinal plants requires wise advice, elderberry reminds it by the diversity of its actions, different according to the parts of the plant used, their state, fresh, dry, cooked. As an indication, and the list is far from being complete, the elder is purgative, diuretic, sudorific, antirheumatic, pectoral, dermatological, analgesic, healing; the infusion of the dry flowers is used as eyewash. The uses are internal, teas or decoctions, external, in cataplasm. Simply, and without risk, the crumpled sheets are used to alleviate the punctures.

Uses of elderberry

The gardener will find in the elder leaf purin a precious ally to repel bugs, aphids, caterpillars, mealy bugs, small mammals, voles and moles. It will take advantage of the anti-fungal properties of the dried flowers to preserve the apples, with a pleasant side effect of transmitting a little pineapple taste. The same flowers, harvested in corymbs and dried whole in spring, will act as an anti-germinant for potatoes. The wood craftsmen will forsake its brittle, hollow stems, but will appreciate the old wood of the trunk, hard, dense, fine, used in other times by the turners and the table makers. And if the pith of the branches is still used for microscopic preparations, the children of the bush extracted it to recover long hollow tubes, with multiple vocations, flutes or blowpipes.

The shrub of artists

Elderberry is a musical plant that can be transformed in a few minutes into a flute, a kazoo or a whistle. Its branches are stripped of their soft internal marrow and the tube thus obtained, with bevelled notch, membrane, tricks of musician of the bushes, becomes the desired instrument. Or the bird call, to attract birds. Equipped with a piston at its end, the elder whistle modulates its song, the thrush misunderstands it... Another use of the hollow stem of the elder, appreciated by the children, the blowpipe, but also the firecracker or the water syringe. Plant games, forgotten in the corners of old hedges.

For the artist writer, the elderberry will offer the ink extracted from its small black fruits. Crushed, macerated, mixed with tea, alum and gum arabic, reduced, these fruits on paper have nuances to discover. Fabrics will also benefit from these dyeing properties, although the elderberry, Sambucus ebulus, seems more suitable.

Some stories...

The nocturnal perfume of elder flowers, appreciated or not, is irresistible, makes you lose your senses...

Judas was hanged in an elder tree, after which the fruits would have become bitter.

In the Middle Ages in the Pyrenees, one had to climb an elder tree to summon the devil.

Harry Potter's wand is made of elderberry.

To cut a branch to make a wand or a magic flute, one had to wait for the bells to ring, the demons being afraid of their sound.

So many regions, so many stories and legends in the imagination of men. The elder, a shrub with many faces, was rather beneficial and protective in the northern countries, more ambiguous, even evil, in the western regions.

Few plants offer as many uses as the elder. And then it settles willingly near human habitats, grows vigorously. It offers shelter and cover to birds, insects and spiders, promoting a welcome biodiversity. It is even said that fairies take refuge there, disappointed by the World...

Hydrangea panicule, family portrait

Originally from Asia and introduced in Europe at the end of the 19th century, panicled hydrangeas or Hydrangea paniculata are robust and vigorous shrubs whose heavy clusters of flowers often make the branches that carry them bend.

The numerous conical inflorescences of the panicled hydrangea evoke the flowers of the lilac. Depending on the variety, the cream or white base of the flowers can be tinted with green, old pink or purple. The panicles are composed of tiny and numerous sterile flowers, sprinkled more or less generously, according to the variety, with large fertile flowers. These inflorescences last many weeks in summer and remain decorative until autumn.

The smallest: less than 1.5 m

They are THE solution for small spaces: pocket garden, terrace, balcony. Recently introduced on the market, they offer to all the pleasure of hosting a Hydrangea paniculata. 

Strawberry Sundae' ® : the little cousin of 'Strawberry Vanilla'.

Very bushy, balanced habit. Blooms from July onwards with a mixture of green, cream and pink shades. Colors intensify during the summer weeks. H : 1,2 m and W : 1 m. Sun, mid-shade.

Bobo' : the little darling of balconies

Very compact, very floriferous; it blooms from July onwards offering large creamy panicles first tinged with green which turn white as the weeks go by. H: 80 cm and W: 1,2 m. Sun, half-shade.

Medium-sized plants: less than 2 m

They can be placed anywhere: at the bottom of a bed, in large pots on the terrace, in a small country hedge. These cultivars reach 2 m in all directions. 

Red Diamond' ® : the reddest

This recent obtention (2011) produces from July luxuriant panicles (up to 35-40 cm long) at first white then more and more pink to finish wine-red in autumn. Very bushy habit. H: 1,5 m and W: 1,2 m. Sun, mid-shade.

Phantom' : very full panicles in XXL version

Very floriferous shrub, blooms from August. Stiff stems. White blooming that becomes pink and green with time. H and W : 2 m. Half-shade.

Vanille Fraise' © : an invitation to indulgence

Blooms starting in July, first vanilla-strawberry then crushed raspberry for very greedy cameos! H: 2 and W: 1,5 m. Sun to part shade.

Limelight' : tangy !

Blooms in August mixing cream and chartreuse green. Huge panicles up to 40 cm long but strong stems! As the weeks go by, the flowers lighten then turn pink. H and W: 2 m. Half-shade.

Mega Mindy' © remarkable in autumn

Blooms from July in large, light, creamy-white panicles that darken to wine-white in late summer. H : 2 and W : 1,8m. Sun, mid-shade. A recent obtention.

Praecox': flowers from June

Creamy, light, airy panicles. Well-bushy habit. H: 2 and E: 1,5. Sun, half-shade.

For the collectors : a new 'Prim'White ®' which blooms sometimes from May and offers light and elegant panicles cream then pure white. H : 1,5 m and W : 2 m. Beware exception which blooms on the wood of the previous year so prune after flowering.

Unique' : a sure value

Very vigorous. Impressive from August with its huge pure white panicles, mostly composed of sterile flowers. Bushy habit. H and W: 2 m. Half-shade.

The largest: more than 2m

They offer an irresistible summer interest to mixed hedges, to copses at the bottom of the garden, to large natural beds in country gardens. These Hydrangea paniculata happily exceed 2 m in all directions. Of course, they can be trimmed back a bit at the end of winter, but you might as well take advantage of their strong presence by placing them in the right place!

Pinky Winky' © : a festival of colors

A recent creation that blooms from July. Light panicles first cream then pink then bright red in autumn. H : 3 m. E : 2 m. Sun, part shade.

Grandiflora' : a classic that has proven itself

From August, huge inflorescences (up to 40 cm long) tightly packed in cream tinting to old pink as time goes by. H: 2 to 3 m (up to 5 m high when it likes it!). E: 2,5 m. Half-shade.

Kyushu' : grace and lightness

Long light panicles from July. Cream at first, then tinted with green and tan as the months go by. Erect habit. H : 3 m. E : 2 m. Sun, mid-shade.

'Tardiva' : flowers at the beginning of the school year

Long, creamy, light panicles in September-October. Open habit. H: 2.5 m. E: 5 ft. to 6 ft. Sun, semi-shade.

Hydrangeas, a large family

The diversity of hydrangeas

There are 9 different families of hydrangeas (Hydrangea). It is important to know that the advice that is valid for one family is often not adapted to another. It is therefore important to know the hydrangea that you buy or that you grow to avoid mistreating it.

There are hydrangeas for the sun, others for the shade, some which will have to be pruned and others for which you will not obtain flowers if you cut them...

La Thylle Nursery has between 300 and 400 varieties.

Discovering hydrangea varieties

The observation of the foliage allows to recognize the family: the members of the same family have the same leaves.

Examples

Hydrangea arborescens are characterized by rather dull foliage and fairly round leaves. They are generally installed in the sun.

The hydrangea that everyone knows, Hydrangea macrophylla, which has a large varnished leaf, must be installed in a confined atmosphere, protected from spring frosts.

The Hydrangea paniculata family, with an elliptical leaf, is also a hydrangea for the sun.

Hydrangea serrata are native to the mountains of Japan. Many members of this family have the particularity to have, in the absence of a long bloom, a foliage which takes sumptuous colors of autumn. This is the case of the variety 'Santiago', with its completely red foliage at the end of the season.

Pruning hydrangeas

It is important to know that the flower of H. macrophylla is already present "in" the plant, in winter (in fact, it forms at the end of August / September). So, if you prune it, you lose flowers. If your hydrangea "bush" is too big, for example positioned in front of a window, it is better to move it than to prune it.

On the other hand, H. Paniculata blooms on the year's wood. Also, to obtain large flowers, we cut back between mid-November and mid-March the two thirds of the stems which carried the flowers the year before.

This is also the case for Hydrangea arborescens.

How to feed hydrangeas?

Most hydrangeas have a superficial root system. They are therefore fed with compost in the spring and fall. There is no need to add any other fertilizer.

Can hydrangeas be grown in pots?

It depends on the hydrangea family. H. macrophylla can be grown in a pot but the roots, more exposed to the cold, will suffer in case of temperatures below -10°C.  H. paniculata is more resistant to frost.

Bonus

Thanks to its great diversity, the hydrangea can color your garden with its flowers and foliage all summer long, and most of the fall.

The Aralia elata, a plant with a tropical look resistant to the cold

Get to know Aralia elata better

Aralia elata, also known as Japanese Angelica, is a fast-growing plant native to Japan and Northeast Asia.

The variety 'Silver Umbrella' presented in the video was planted two years ago when it was only 50 cm tall, so it has tripled in height, producing a generous foliage carried by side branches that can reach up to 1 m long. An interesting way to create volume in a recent garden very quickly and to bring an exotic note by marrying the Aralia to a banana tree for example!

The young shoots appear in April. The foliage lasts until autumn. The summer flowering, very light and vaporous, is particularly appreciated by pollinating insects. The flowers are followed by blackish berries that birds love. This plant thus favors biodiversity in the garden.

The young shoots are edible and are eaten in Japan.

Growing conditions of the Japanese angelica

The aralia appreciates places protected from the prevailing wind and rich, cool soil. In these optimal conditions, this plant will not cause you any concern and will develop in an exuberant way.

Rusticity

Despite its tropical appearance, this beautiful plant is hardy to -15°C.

Exposure

The Aralia likes the sun in the northern regions, everywhere else, the shade and the half-shade are preferable especially in the Mediterranean regions where the sun could burn the foliage.

Soil

The soil should be well drained, light and fertile, add a good dose of river sand and mature compost at planting.

Watering

Water as soon as the soil dries on 3 cm surface during all the beautiful season to ensure a beautiful growth to the plant.

Multiplication

The variety 'Silver Umbrella' is quite rare because it is only multiplied by grafting a branch on a root. The technique is therefore reserved for professionals or seasoned gardeners.

The classic aralia with green leaves can be sown in spring, or even divided with a spade at the end of winter by taking shoots from the stump and replanting them immediately in another area of the garden.

The pheasant tree, growing tips

Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns

The pheasant tree, Leycesteria formosa, is a shrub whose typical species has green foliage. The variety 'Golden Lanterns' has beautiful golden foliage and produces young copper-colored shoots. The purple-purple fruits stand out from the light foliage; Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns' is a colorful shrub!

Attention: to obtain this golden foliage, a sunny exposure is necessary. It needs at least a semi-shaded situation, with morning sun, for example. If it does not receive enough sun, the foliage will be more green-yellow.

In a more general way, the pheasant tree is a plant that appreciates the sun. However, it is advisable to preserve it from too 'burning' exposures.

Beware of the cold!

Although native to the Himalayas, the pheasant tree can be damaged by cold winter temperatures. But don't worry: the flowering will not be compromised. Since the flowers are produced on the year's wood, you only need to cut back the stems for the plant to start again from the stump, to bloom all summer long.

Pruning the pheasant tree

To obtain an aesthetic and leafy plant, it is best to prune it. Pruning encourages branching and prevents the bottom from balding. Cut back the pheasant tree every year.

Where to put the pheasant tree?

The pheasant tree can be installed in the garden, in a fresh soil, as an isolated subject or associated with other plants. It is also possible to grow it in a pot, but you will have to be careful when the temperatures drop in winter, as the roots are more exposed to frost.

Note: the pheasant tree is not a plant adapted to gardens located in the South. On the other hand, it will do well in regions where rainfall is frequent.

Bonus

The pheasant tree loses its leaves in winter, but the stems remain green, which makes it aesthetically pleasing even in winter.

Why the pheasant tree?

This shrub was introduced, on the edge of the forest, especially in Sologne, to feed the pheasants, hence its name!

The art of Japanese pruning or Niwaki

The Japanese pruning or creation of a Niwaki is an ancestral art whose foundations come essentially from the Shinto cult "The Way of the Gods", which was maintained and transmitted from the 12th century by the Zen Buddhist gardening monks, and whose primary goal is to obtain an impression of maturity in a subject.

Originally, Niwaki evokes the imprint left on the vegetation by natural elements (wind, snow, frost...) or animals (cattle, insects...).

There are big nurseries in Japan, breeding and pruning this kind of trees, and they are passed on from generation to generation.

Among the different types of Japanese pruning (compact karikomi, in the form of large bushes kokarikomi or small bushes okarikomi, linear "in plateaus" or "in tiers"...) the "in clouds" pruning is intended to give a tabular vegetation - various shapes in multiple domes - aiming at reproducing distant landscape sites.

Niwaki allows to represent hills and valleys of the countryside, to evoke clouds hanging in the depth of a forest or a tree isolated in the plumb of a cliff, this in the Japanese garden where all the elements are used to reproduce the whole natural landscape in a small space, in order to sublimate its beauty.

Japanese pruning is for all varieties of trees (except the most slender ones such as candle cypress or poplar) and shrubs, whether deciduous or evergreen, and for all subjects, from the smallest raised in a pot - for those who would not be lucky enough to have a garden - to the one raised in the ground.