You are buying 3x Elder ‘Swanton Beauty’ (Sambucus nigra) bareroot plants.
Please note:
Bare-rooted plants are only available during the dormant season between November and March. We always aim to process orders within two days, however there may be unavoidable delays in despatch if the ground is frozen, so please be patient.
Organically and sustainably grown from cuttings in our forest garden here at Poet’s Acre, located in the heart of 1000 acres of organic farmland and ancient woodland in rural North Norfolk.
Plants are lifted to order as part of a sustainable management plan that encourages diversity and resilience. The land here is completely organic, we do not use pesticides, or sprays of any kind.
About Elder (Sambucus nigra)
The Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a versatile and hardy shrub, native to Europe, perfect for UK gardens. ‘Swanton Beauty’ is a specially selected variety found locally to Poet’s Acre with large flower heads and masses of lush berries in autumn. Elder is renowned for its fragrant white flowers, which bloom in late spring and early summer, followed by clusters of deep purple-black berries in the autumn. The flowers are highly valued for making elderflower cordial, wine, and tea, while the berries are ideal for jams, syrups, and baking. Elder thrives in well-drained soil and grows best in full sun or partial shade, making it highly adaptable to various garden conditions. This productive and fast-growing shrub also provides valuable food and habitat for birds, bees, and other wildlife.
Garden Uses
Elder can be used as a hedging plant, a wildlife-friendly shrub, or as a productive plant in a forest garden. Its flowers and berries are culinary favorites, and it provides an attractive addition to any garden with its seasonal interest and versatility.
Wildlife Uses
The flowers and berries of elder are a rich source of nectar and food for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Planting elder helps support local biodiversity and provides valuable forage for bees and butterflies.
Plant Care
Your bareroot plants will arrive carefully packaged to prevent drying out. They have been pruned back hard for transporting to prevent damage and encourage strong and healthy regrowth. Plant roots have been dusted with mycorrhizal spores to encourage a strong relationship with the soil microbiome.
Remove from packaging as soon as possible and soak in clean rainwater for a while before planting or heeling in until ready to plant in final positions. Use the soaking water to water plants in. Elder is highly adaptable and grows vigorously, particularly in the spring. Prune annually to maintain shape and encourage fruit production.
Plants can be further propagated by seed, softwood cuttings in summer, or hardwood cuttings in winter. Elder can tolerate some shade but thrives in full sun, and it’s well-suited for planting in hedgerows, wildlife gardens, or forest gardens.
Postage & Packaging
Price includes postage, we send all our plants Royal Mail 2nd class to minimise costs for you. We aim to post items on the day after we receive the order, at most within 2 working days, unless frosty weather prevents it.
Please let us know if you haven’t received your order, so we can make sure it gets to you promptly.
And please contact us for bulk orders.
We use as much recycled material as possible for packaging.
About Poet’s Acre
Poet’s Acre is a forest garden project, creating a continuously expanding repository of regionally adapted plants, and a haven for wildlife and threatened species of all kinds. Our work is supported by a small family-run nursery growing plants for gardens, forest gardens, food forests, and permaculture projects. Our aim is to grow healthy chemical-free plants for diversity, resilience, and climate adaptability, and encourage people to connect with the land, themselves, and each other.
You are buying 3x Elder ‘Swanton Beauty’ (Sambucus nigra) bareroot plants.
Please note:
Bare-rooted plants are only available during the dormant season between November and March. We always aim to process orders within two days, however there may be unavoidable delays in despatch if the ground is frozen, so please be patient.
Organically and sustainably grown from cuttings in our forest garden here at Poet’s Acre, located in the heart of 1000 acres of organic farmland and ancient woodland in rural North Norfolk.
Plants are lifted to order as part of a sustainable management plan that encourages diversity and resilience. The land here is completely organic, we do not use pesticides, or sprays of any kind.
About Elder (Sambucus nigra)
The Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a versatile and hardy shrub, native to Europe, perfect for UK gardens. ‘Swanton Beauty’ is a specially selected variety found locally to Poet’s Acre with large flower heads and masses of lush berries in autumn. Elder is renowned for its fragrant white flowers, which bloom in late spring and early summer, followed by clusters of deep purple-black berries in the autumn. The flowers are highly valued for making elderflower cordial, wine, and tea, while the berries are ideal for jams, syrups, and baking. Elder thrives in well-drained soil and grows best in full sun or partial shade, making it highly adaptable to various garden conditions. This productive and fast-growing shrub also provides valuable food and habitat for birds, bees, and other wildlife.
Garden Uses
Elder can be used as a hedging plant, a wildlife-friendly shrub, or as a productive plant in a forest garden. Its flowers and berries are culinary favorites, and it provides an attractive addition to any garden with its seasonal interest and versatility.
Wildlife Uses
The flowers and berries of elder are a rich source of nectar and food for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Planting elder helps support local biodiversity and provides valuable forage for bees and butterflies.
Plant Care
Your bareroot plants will arrive carefully packaged to prevent drying out. They have been pruned back hard for transporting to prevent damage and encourage strong and healthy regrowth. Plant roots have been dusted with mycorrhizal spores to encourage a strong relationship with the soil microbiome.
Remove from packaging as soon as possible and soak in clean rainwater for a while before planting or heeling in until ready to plant in final positions. Use the soaking water to water plants in. Elder is highly adaptable and grows vigorously, particularly in the spring. Prune annually to maintain shape and encourage fruit production.
Plants can be further propagated by seed, softwood cuttings in summer, or hardwood cuttings in winter. Elder can tolerate some shade but thrives in full sun, and it’s well-suited for planting in hedgerows, wildlife gardens, or forest gardens.
Postage & Packaging
Price includes postage, we send all our plants Royal Mail 2nd class to minimise costs for you. We aim to post items on the day after we receive the order, at most within 2 working days, unless frosty weather prevents it.
Please let us know if you haven’t received your order, so we can make sure it gets to you promptly.
And please contact us for bulk orders.
We use as much recycled material as possible for packaging.
About Poet’s Acre
Poet’s Acre is a forest garden project, creating a continuously expanding repository of regionally adapted plants, and a haven for wildlife and threatened species of all kinds. Our work is supported by a small family-run nursery growing plants for gardens, forest gardens, food forests, and permaculture projects. Our aim is to grow healthy chemical-free plants for diversity, resilience, and climate adaptability, and encourage people to connect with the land, themselves, and each other.
