When to Plant Elderberry in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Elderberry guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Jun to Aug
- Days to harvest
- about 104 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
Elderberry is a fast-growing deciduous shrub to about 2-5m that bears white flower heads in spring and clusters of small dark purple berries in late summer.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun ✓
- Jul ✓
- Aug ✓
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Elderberry in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Rich, moist, organic-rich well-drained loam
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun to partial shade, at least 6 hours of direct sun a day
- Spacing
- 250-400cm apart, 300cm between rows
- Watering
- Moderate watering. Water regularly while establishing, especially in dry spells, and mulch because the roots are shallow.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey, Currants
Subtropical Growing Tips for Elderberry
Recommended Varieties
- English Elderberry: Plant in partial shade or afternoon shade to protect foliage from extreme summer heat
- Black Lace (Sambucus nigra, cutting-grown): Grows about 2 to 5 m, tolerates frost, likes full sun. Daleys says it needs two compatible plants, best with Black Beauty or Laced Up
Key Challenges
- Birds: Can take entire crop
- Aphids, mealybug and scale: Weak, distorted growth and sooty mould
- Elder shoot borer: Damages the water-carrying tissue and kills shoots
- Powdery mildew and leaf spot: Reduced leaf function and vigour
Pro Tips
- Apply a top-dressing of well-rotted manure or balanced organic fertiliser in early spring as new growth starts
- Apply a thick layer of organic straw or bark mulch around the dripline to keep shallow roots cool and damp
- Prune out dead wood and older three-year-old canes during winter dormancy to encourage vigorous new fruiting wood
Pests and problems for Elderberry in Subtropical
- Powdery mildew and leaf spot Space plants well, prune, clean tools. Watch
- Canker, verticillium wilt and honey fungus Keep mulch off the stem and avoid waterlogged soil, though one retailer says it tolerates wet soil. Watch
- Aphids, mealybug and scale Aphids, mealybug and scale: Weak, distorted growth and sooty mould Watch
- Elder shoot borer Elder shoot borer: Damages the water-carrying tissue and kills shoots Watch
Harvesting Elderberry
When ready: Whole berry clusters turn deep purple-black and soft, drooping heavy on the stem in late summer
How to harvest: Snip entire umbrella-like fruit clusters using sharp secateurs, then strip berries from stems before cooking
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Elderberry
When do you plant elderberry in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jun to Aug
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jun to Aug
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jun to Aug
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jul to Sep
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
Can you grow elderberry all year round in Brisbane?
No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Jun to Aug. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Elderberry in Brisbane?
Elderberry is a cool-climate shrub, so plant it in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, keep it well watered, and expect lighter fruiting in Brisbane than in the south.
How do I know when Elderberry are ready to harvest?
Whole berry clusters turn deep purple-black and soft, drooping heavy on the stem in late summer
What are the best Elderberry varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: English Elderberry: Plant in partial shade or afternoon shade to protect foliage from extreme summer heat, Black Lace (Sambucus nigra, cutting-grown): Grows about 2 to 5 m, tolerates frost, likes full sun. Daleys says it needs two compatible plants, best with Black Beauty or Laced Up.
What grows well with Elderberry?
Good companion plants for Elderberry include: Nasturtium, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey, Currants.
Are elderberry salt tolerant?
No. Elderberry are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.