The elder flowers in June in large, flat plates of flowerheads (called umbrells) made up of many tiny cream-white flowers. If you make sure they are clean of bugs, they can be eaten sraight off the branches on a hot summers day.




The berries can be considered ripe when the clusters begin to turn upside down. Avoid picking berries that have become over-ripe. Wash well and strip from the stalks using a dining fork.





The berries can be added to apple pie (40 elderberries:60 apple) or blackberry jam (50:50).

The elderberry is often known as the Englishman's grape, and it's nutritional values show that it is similar to the grape and more so...

The first shoots of the Common Elder boiled like asparagus, and the young leaves and stalks boiled in fat broth, do mightily carry forth phlegm and choler. The middle or inward bark boiled in water, and given in drink works much more violently; and the berries, either green or dry, expel the same humour, and are often given with good success to help the dropsy; the bark of the root boiled in wine, or the juice thereof drank, works the same effects, but much more powerfully than either the leaves or fruit. The juice of the root taken, mightily procures vomiting, and purges the watery humours of the dropsy...

Nicholas Culpeper, 17th century herbalist

Saying that DO NOT use the leaves, bark or roots of Elder for consumtion
They can be poisonous.