When to Plant Elderberry in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide
What this month normally looks like in Warm Temperate
In October the Warm Temperate zone normally runs 24°C by day and 13°C overnight, with about 66 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -1.5°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 153 postcodes, SILO.
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This Elderberry guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane 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 Warm Temperate
- 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 Warm Temperate 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
Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Elderberry
Recommended Varieties
- English Elderberry: Classic European variety producing fragrant white flower heads in spring and dark purple berries in late summer
- 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 Warm Temperate
- 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 Sydney?
No. In the Warm Temperate 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 Sydney?
Plant bare-root elderberry in winter, from June to August, while it is dormant. Early spring is the fallback.
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 Sydney?
Recommended varieties for the Warm Temperate zone include: English Elderberry: Classic European variety producing fragrant white flower heads in spring and dark purple berries in late summer, 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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.