Flowering Now - September 2009

[Stephenb]

Also in Uppsala was this Sambucus caerulea (which Roger mentioned in another thread). Secondly, another North American, Sambucus canadensis (syn S. nigra ssp canadensis) "York", a late maturing cultivar which flowers in my garden from about the end of the S. nigra flowering season until now, extending the "elderflower fritter" season if your partial to one of the gardening year's highlights/temptations.. (one untried recipe here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2007/jun/09/foodanddrink.shopping2). The picture is taken in September (Sambucus "Black Beauty" can also be seen).

[mark smyth]

Do you have a close up of Sambucus caerulea berries?

[Paddy Tobin]

Stephen,

The Crataegus nigra and the Sambucus caerulaea are outstanding.

Any recipes for elderberries - the flowers are well gone here but there are plenty of berries.

Paddy

[Ragged Robin]

Any recipes for elderberries

No recipes as such but elderberries make a wonderful wine, Paddy - we tasted a bottle we made 25 years ago recently and it was like a vintage Port   

[Geebo]

Hi Robin,
You sure had a lot off Patience with that elderberry wine he, or did You forget it was there 
It reminds me, I made some years ago with honey when I was a keen beekeeper,non left tough.

Paddy,
You can make a good syrup out the berry`s used as a cough remedy in winter. Try Google for recepies also.
Did You ever try to make elder flower wine? it reminds me always on a good Alsace wine,well wort the try.
cheers,
Guy

[cohan]

nice berries, stephen!
you may be interested to know, i have recently tried some berries which i previously did not know were edible--
Maianthemum canadense-finally found some ripe ones--there are still others around that are green (with speckles) and as hard as ever, even with leaves dried up; the ripe ones were red, and actually quite tasty, though not much flesh..easy to clean those seeds
Cornus sericea--rather bitter and sour, but i actually rather like this one..i have only eaten a few at a time...
Symphoricarpos alba-rather mealy and variably bitter; supposedly very laxative, so since its not that tasty, didnt eat many..

[Stephenb]

Do you have a close up of Sambucus caerulea berries?

No, sorry...

[Paddy Tobin]

I went through the home-made wine phase twenty years ago and didn't keep any from then. The professionals generally do a better job.

Paddy

[Arykana]

Try those ones, but the elderberry makes your kitchen quite dirty
http://arykana.lapunk.hu/?modul=oldal&tartalom=1027918

[Sinchets]

I don't think the professionals make a dandelion wine quite as good as the one Chris makes 

[Arykana]

I am sure Chris would be better

[Ragged Robin]

Can we see a glass? 

[Arykana]

here is mine

[WimB]

Some plants that are flowering here now:

1) Echinacea 'Sunrise'
2) Sedum sp.
3) Tradescantia sillamontana

and some plants which I bought recently :

4) Heuchera 'Lime Rickey'
5) Heuchera 'Mint Frost'
6) Hosta venusta 'Minuet'

[Stephenb]

Do you know where Tradescantia sillamontana comes from, Wim - interesting hairy leaves. Is it hardy?