How do you transplant elderberries?

Answer 1

Elderberries sucker freely, so they are very easy to transplant. In the spring, after the ground has thawed, cut the plants down to either about one third their height if they're over three feet tall, or to about eight or ten inches if they're smaller, then dig up as large a root ball as you can. Prepare the soil where you are going to plant the transplant by digging a hole twice as big as the root ball you dug up around the old plant. Fill the hole with water and make a note of how long it takes for the water to drain. That whill help you understand how much to water in the future. Mix some well-rotted compost with the native soil in the hole, then back fill until the hole is small enough to accomodate the root ball. Put the root ball in the soil, back fill all around the plant, stepping firmly around the crown to make sure the root ball won't tilt as it settles. Water regularly, being careful to allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out between waterings. You may not see much growth the first year as the plants are getting established, and the next spring the plants might look a bit feeble, but be patient, and they'll take off soon.

Answer 2

Divide every five or six years during winter. Each plant can be split into 3/4 separate crowns. Make sure that each section has a bud for next years growth. When replanting the top of the crown should be 25 mm below the surface of the soil

Answer 3

Care of an black lace elderberry bush in Michigan