Elderberry

We have a long row of Elderberries growing along side one of the gardens.  It flowers in the spring with snowy white umbrellas consisting of hundreds of tiny white flowers.  If a late frost doesn't hit, killing the blossoms, I can gather the flowers to make fritters.  As the summer progresses, tiny, little green berries form.

just beginning to ripen, berries will be a dark purple when ripe

 When the Elderberries ripen I gather them quickly before the birds eat them all.  The berries are laid on paper toweling and placed on a window screen, out of the wind and sun, to dry.  I don't worry about taking out the stems unless I am making Elderberry  jelly or jam.  The dried Elderberries make a wonderful hot tea to help combat colds and flu.

TEA FOR FLU AND COLDS