An attemp at Elderberry cuttings

So it snowed here again the other day. Another cold spell after some rather nice weather. Anyway, it reminded me that I wanted to try starting some cuttings from my elderberry and I had better get to it before the thing started leafing out. So, I ran out and cut off two branches that were leaning in ways I didn't want them to.

A view of my snowy garden the elderberry's point of view

My little elderberry tree, or rather, bush.

As you can see, it's a rather small tree as yet, but it will only turn 3 this summer. I took my branches inside and cut them into sections, trying to keep two leaf nodes per section. I'm not sure that is necessary, the different websites I looked at had slightly different opinions on the subject.

I then had to scramble around for some pots since forethought didn't seem to be a high priority at the time. I found some, though and everything is planted and covered for humidity.

Two already have signs of leaf bud growth but time will tell if they root or not. I hope so. This is a native variety, sambucus cerulea. They have blue berries instead of the purple black ones of the eastern varieties. These  what I grew up with in northern California and they do grow wild in the western part of Montana. With a little accommodation, they seem to do well here, too.

This plant already has given me a small harvest of berries this last summer. I got a quart of syrup out the deal! Not much, but a start. In addition the medicinal syrup, I make a sweeter version for pancakes. It'll be nice to be able to make that again. Now, if  I can just get my raspberries to get down to business.