Elderflowers are in full bloom this month, both in hedgerows as well as gardens across the country. Whether they are the wild Sambucus nigra or a cultivated variety with green or black leaves they are all beautiful and useful plants.
The black leaved cultivar growing in the SCIence Garden has pink blooms, whereas the wild species has white flowers. It was purchased as ‘Black Beauty’, but is also sold as ‘Gerda’.
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla ‘Black Beauty’ growing in the SCIence Garden
This cultivar, along with ‘Black Lace’ (Eva) was developed by Ken Tobutt and Jacqui Prevette at the Horticulture Research International research station at East Malling in Kent and released for sale in the horticulture trade in 2000. The leaves stay a dark purple throughout the year and the flowers have a good fragrance.
The shrub will tolerate hard pruning so is useful for smaller spaces and provides a long season of interest. The plant is also a forager’s delight, both in early summer (for the flowers) and in the autumn (for the berries).
Most commonly one may think of elderflower cordial, or perhaps even elderflower champagne, but an excellent alternative to the rose flavoured traditional “Turkish Delight” can be made - https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/elderflower-delight. I can highly recommend it!
The chemistry of the elderflower aroma is complex. Analyses such as that in the reference below* have identified many different terpene and terpenoid components including nerol oxide, hotrienol and nonanal.
* Olfactory and Quantitative Analysis of Aroma Compounds in Elder Flower (Sambucus nigra L.) Drink Processed from Five Cultivars. Ulla Jørgensen, Merete Hansen, Lars P. Christensen, Karina Jensen, and Karl Kaack. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2000 48 (6), 2376-2383. DOI: 10.1021/jf000005f
Written by Alison Foster: Botanical Horticulturist and Science Communicator
#INKFLORESCENCE 12: Elderflower “When I woke up I saw her, pridefully, in front of me. I should have listen when the villagers told me to not sleep under the Elderflower tree.” . . . . . . . . . . . . #inktober2019 #inktober #inkwash#inkflower #fantasyart #illustration #fae #fairy #hada #elderflower #meaningofflowers #languageofflowers #legends #folklore #fairyfolklore #warrior #dnd #characterdesign https://www.instagram.com/p/B37hKOBCDAg/?igshid=19er0o3fyk9mv
The elegant elderflower liqueur is back in style these days. Mix ½ oz. St. Germain with 4 oz. champagne and garnish with an orange slice or a strawberry.
Add liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with a handful of crushed ice. Give a quick shake to integrate the ingredients and chill it down a touch and empty the contents into a rocks glass. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a grapefruit peel or a sprig of fresh mint.
This article was not sponsored or supported by a third-party. A Cocktail Moment is not affiliated with any individuals or companies depicted here.
1/3 cup fresh squeezed clementine or blood orange juice
Ginger Beer, for topping,
pomegranate arils, for topping
1 sprig fresh thyme or mint
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Add the vodka, elderflower liquor (if using), and clementine juice. Top with ginger beer. Add the pomegranates and thyme or mint. Enjoy!
Courtesy: Half Baked Harvest
This article was not sponsored or supported by a third-party. A Cocktail Moment is not affiliated with any individuals or companies depicted here.
Don’t fall asleep below the elder tree, you can be taken away. ♂️
I’m selling all my inktober illustrations for 35€ plus shipment! if you have any questions feel free to write me an e-mail o send a DM. I’ll be more than happy to answer your doubts. ✨
Made some elderflower syrup today The blooming flower is so tender and smells incredibly I wish you all an amazing weekend! #elder #elderflower #syrup #weekend #babysheep #sheep #cute #jummy #sun #weekend #illustration #painting #gouache #illustrator #juice #diy #summer #lemon #fowers #sheep #animals
The Standard Designs Mansion’s gardens continue to provide an endless supply of late-80s & early-90s album cover art à la 23 Envelope et al. I’m guessing this one is for David Sylvian’s 1987 triple-album ‘Aeneas’s Transom’ featuring Robert Fripp on kettle and Rod Hull & Emu on reversed xylophone and Prophet-5. #ripdavesmith #albumcover #albumcoverart #garden #gardening #foundart #ready@ade #art #design #photography #gardener #elderflower #stones #rocks #davidsylvian #robertfripp #rodhull #emu #prophet5 #davesmith #23envelope #1980s #80smusic #1990s #90smusic https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceb3DmkIvuo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
One of the best things about May is making elderflower cordial, a delicious and refreshing drink that strengthens the mind by forcing one to block out the thought that there’s probably over a dozen insects in every gulp. #nopesticides #garden #gardening #elder #eldertree #elderflower #elderflowercordial #bbcgoodfood #drink #summerdrink #homecooking #diy #selfsufficiency #digforvictory #lemon #mind #mindpower (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeJyAu7oMNh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Muddle pear and nutmeg together until well mashed. Add all other ingredients and shake vigorously over ice for 30 seconds. Fine strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a thin slice of pear dusted with ground nutmeg.
