Elder is one of those trees that gets going quickly and tends to take care of itself once it’s in. It doesn’t mind poor soil, handles wet ground better than most, and will grow just about anywhere when it’s given a good bit of light. If you’re looking to buy an elder tree, it’s worth knowing that they don’t hang about.

In early summer, the Elder Tree produces soft white flowers in big flat heads, which draw in insects and work well for making cordials and syrups at home. Later in the year, the flowers give way to dark berries that birds go mad for, and if you’re into winemaking or jam-making, there’s always plenty to harvest. Anyone looking to buy an elderberry tree will find it’s just as useful in the kitchen as it is for wildlife in the garden.

Listed as either an elder shrub or elder bush, it quickly becomes a tree in its own right when left alone. It’s not the best choice for a mixed hedge as it tends to dominate, but when given space to grow naturally, an Elder tree will happily settle into a nice loose shape while blending in well with informal planting. Elder trees are ideal if you want something low-fuss that still gives back.

If you’re after a good elder tree in the UK to grow or just want to plant something that pulls its weight without needing too much in return, it’s a reliable option and one that we have many options.