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Plough
Field Allotments at Amerton
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Tips
By Mrs FM
Hartley.
Unusual
& Old
Fashioned Fruit
Trees.
Unusual
Vegetables,
Herbs & Other
Edible Plants.
Environmental
Issues And Going Green.
Vines
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By
Alan J Hartley
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Tree Project.
Elderberry – Sambucus.
Elderberry trees have always been very common in hedgerows everywhere
and we all know how wildlife and birds in particular love the Elderberry
with its small, soft, dark, purple berries, held in large clusters. When
they are ripe the birds splatter everywhere with purple spots after they
have eaten them. The berries are best not eaten by people though, unless
processed which they have started to do commercially to produce a
vitamin C supplement instead of using Black Currants.
The White flowers of the Elderberry can readily be used though, to make
Wine and Elderflower wine used to be a firm favourite of many country
people for centuries. Not so long ago when you visited people living
away from the towns, you nearly always used to be offered a glass of
Elderflower wine to tickle your palette.
Some people still make use of the Elderberry Tree as a few high class
restaurateurs pick their fairly large scented flower heads and have
their chefs dip them in batter. After frying the flowers are then served
up as a special little side dish.
The Elderberry tree is a native to Europe and as such, propagates
readily from berries, is completely hardy to our climate and will grow
almost anywhere. However, although it is relatively small growing, it
will throw up many suckers and therefore needs attention if it is to be
grown in a small garden. A more ornamental variety called Nigra which
has lovely, dark red leaves, is sometimes seen for sale at garden
centres and nurseries.
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