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shrub layer
elder
sambucus nigra
flowers for cordial and pollinators, berries for birds and syrup, hollow stems for nesting insects. thrives where nutrients pool.
functions
wildlife habitatfood cropmedicinalpioneer
light
part shade
moisture
moist
soil
rich, nitrogen-loving
season
open the calendar →j
f
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grower's notes
memberspropagation, guild role, and deeper ecology for elder — the members' view.
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relationships — grows well with
see elder on the relationship map →the takeaway
start a guild around elder
plant these together and the relationships on this page start working for you — feeders, protectors, and cover, layer by layer.
- shrub
- elder — the anchor
- canopy
- rowan
- herbaceous
- stinging nettlecomfrey (bocking 14)