March 2026

What’s the difference between Petunia and Surfinia? Surfinia is a type of trailing petunia, bred specifically for vigorous growth and masses of flowers. Standard petunias can be upright or gently spreading, while Surfinia varieties cascade strongly, making them ideal for hanging baskets and containers where they create a waterfall-like effect. Specific Attractants Petunia ‘Surfinia’ stands […]

Can Google identify a plant from a photo? Google Lens is a set of vision-based computing capabilities that can understand what you’re looking at and use that information to copy or translate text, identify plants and animals, explore locales or menus, discover products, find visually similar images, and take other useful actions. Open your Google

What is the difference between an elderberry tree and an elderberry bush? American Elderberry is a multi-stemmed shrub, while European Elderberry has a small tree form. The remainder of this publication will focus specifically on American Elderberry, S. The leaves of the Black Elder smell a little unpleasant, reminiscent of cat urine. The flowers smell

Can you eat elderberries off of a tree? Elderberry should not be consumed raw off the bush! Raw elderberries cause gastrointestinal distress in many people. Elderberries need to be cooked (or fermented) to break down the chemical compounds that some people react negatively to. There is much controversy concerning the lectins in elderberries. Some will

What is the best type of elderberry to grow? Elderberry Varieties by Growing Zone Adams is notable for its hardiness and significant height, leading to large yields. Ranch is ideal for challenging soil conditions and low maintenance. Bob Gordon also thrives here, especially in the warmer reaches of zone 5, with its high productivity. Because

What is an elderberry tree good for? Elderberry has been used in folk medicine to treat colds and flu. Elderberry is promoted as a dietary supplement for colds, flu, and other conditions. It has also been promoted for COVID-19, but there is no good evidence to support its use. Another elderberry benefit is on reproductive

Can you eat elderberries straight off the tree? Elderberry should not be consumed raw off the bush! Raw elderberries cause gastrointestinal distress in many people. Elderberries need to be cooked (or fermented) to break down the chemical compounds that some people react negatively to. This is discussed further in the Toxicity section below. Elderberry recipe

Is it safe to eat elderberries off the bush? Fully ripened black elderberries, especially when cooked, are safe to eat. However, raw elderberries, as well as all other parts of the elderberry plant including the leaves, stems, and roots, contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. Elderberry

How fast does an elderberry tree grow? Elderberries are fast-growing when planted in mostly full sun exposure and watered regularly; a one-gallon-sized plant can become a six to ten-foot, multi-trunked shrub within a year! They are a great choice for closely planted hedgerows combining small trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and spreading perennials. Elderberry is a

How long does it take an elderberry tree to produce? A partial crop can be expected the year after planting if plants are vigorous and healthy, with a full crop expected in three years. Elderberry plants will likely remain productive for at least five years, but the full productive life of an elderberry planting is