Elderberry 'Black Frills' (Sambucus Nigra) | 100+ seeds

Please find for sale 100+ seeds for Elderberry 'Black Frills'  (Sambucus nigra)  - an attractive Elderflower cultivar. One of the most useful and easy plants you can grow - whether its to make delicious sparkling elderflower wine, elderflower cordial or a whole host of herbal remedies. 

PLEASE NOTE: All orders received before 8pm (Mon-Fri) will be dispatched same day

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Germination Guide

Elderberries have a hard seed coat and have natural dormancy built in - so require a period of "stratification for optimum germination rates. Stratification is a process of simulating natural conditions that the seeds must experience before germination can occur (if a seed germinates in the middle of winter it will die). In the wild, seed dormancy is usually overcome by the seed spending time in the ground through a winter period and having its hard seed coat softened up by frost and weathering action. This cold, moist period triggers the seed's embryo; its growth and subsequent expansion eventually break through the softened seed coat in its search for sun and nutrients.

If you have patience you could simply sow the seeds about 5mm deep in pots of well drained compost and leave outside in a shady spot over winter or of you want to germinate them at any time of your then do the following: 

• Get a handful or two of vermiculite, perlite or sterile compost (microwave compost in a plastic bowl for 3 minutes) then allow to cool.
• Add a little water to the mix. Should be moist but not wet
• Place in small ziplock bag
• Place in bottom fridge or in cold shed/outbuilding for 4-6 weeks 
• Spread bag contents on a tray of moist compost.
• Cover very lightly with compost or vermiculite
• Keep in a warm place 15-25c
• Seedlings should appear after 15-25 days
• Keep moist - best to place seed tray inside a waterproof container and water from the bottom
• Pot on as required

TOP TIP! Don't use all your seeds in the same tray just in case rot sets in.