"Allview" wrote in message
...
In November I had a big spruce tree cut down and replaced it with a lot of
topsoil and whatever dormant bushes I could find at the local nurseries.
I
always intended to plant bushes for the birds but could find no berry
bushes.
Guess the birds will appreciate the cover. There is a large space at one
end
of this new garden and I would like to plant an elderberry as soon as I
can.
Will I be sorry? Do nursery grown elderberry bushes thrive? I have lots
of
space for it to spread. Is it a good idea or not? Sunny location.

Marilyn in Ohio (zone 5/6)

Ornamental forms of Sambucus nigra or racemosa (European elders) seem to be
the most gardenworthy with more restrained growth habits and typically very
appealing foliage coloring (gold, various purples and variegated forms) than
the native caerulea or canadensis. Even some of these can grow to
appreciable size but can be coppiced annually to keep size in check and
intensify foliage coloring. All species are suckering shrubs so expect some
spreading via this habit. IME, they do not need a pair to produce berries -
my 'Sutherlands Gold' is a prodigious berrier - but not all will produce as
abundantly, particularly those with dark foliage like 'Guincho Purple' or
'Black Beauty' or the highly variegated 'Pulverulenta', which seldom even
produces flowers, let alone fruit.

pam - gardengal