Elderberry Benefits and Uses

elderberry closeup 4
Originally uploaded by oceandesetoiles

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a shrub or small tree, producing large clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers in late spring and after that clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries (rarely yellow or white).

Elderberry flowers are used for elderflower cordial. In France and other Central European countries people make elderflower syrup, commonly made from an extract of elderflower blossoms, which is added to crepe (pancake) mixes instead of blueberries.

Throughout most of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe people also make a Elderberry flowers syrup which is then diluted with water and used as a drink.

In Slovenia, Italy and Germany the umbels of the elderberry are dipped in batter, fried and then served as a dessert, snack or a sweet lunch with a sugar and sometimes cinnamon topping.

In the United States, this French elderflower syrup is made into elderflower marshmallows.

Out of Elderberry berries - wines, cordials, marmalade and syrup can be produced.

Elderberry twigs are hallow and have traditionally been used as spiles to tap maple syrup from maple trees.

Ornamental varieties of Elderberry can be found in gardens for their showy flowers, fruits as well as lacy foliage.

Elderberry is another one of the plants to attract birds - especially if you leave plenty of ripe berries for them.

To purchase Elderberry berries - organic, dried - CLICK HERE

Learn more about Elderberry uses and benefits by clicking on the two links below:

• Benefits of Elderberry
• Natural Cold and Flu Remedies: Elderberry Remedy
  

Happy Fourth of July

Wishing you a wonderful Independence Day holiday weekend without storms, yummy BBQ and many beautiful moments to save in your happy heart... :)
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Photo "Fourth of July old glory flag water drops" - courtesy of Steve took it

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More related stories on American Independence Day or Fourth of July:

• Meaning of Fourth of July
• Independence Day around the world

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Lightning thunder storms

Lightning; My First Try
Originally uploaded by Kuzeytac (OUT, till 20.08.09-see profile)

For the last few weeks Florida skies have been mostly cloudy, we had lots of rain and thunder storms and lightning. Our grass hardly ever gets a chance to dry out enough so we can mow our lawn.

While all of my plants enjoy the moisture and heat (weeds included) and my banana trees grow faster than ever before (a new leaf every week!), the time to enjoy outdoors is pretty short: early morning and early evening only. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes have the same time scheduled to get around and get something to eat... ;)

Back to lightning thunder storms. There is an excellent post about lightning strikes, with many outstanding images and fascinating lightning facts at: Lightning Strikes Photos.

Enjoy your day, no matter what the weather looks like!



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After the rain photos

We had quite a few showers lately. And storms. After each one of them, there came an "after the rain" period, when everything looks clean, the nature more green and the air fresher than ever.

I'm happy to share with you two of my recent photos, both taken in my backyard, during that precious time - right after the rain.



Blooming Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa) after the rain




Blooming Barbra Streisand pink rose after the rain



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Attract birds

Transcript of a how to video How To Make Your Backyard a Bird Haven:

Quit hogging our own backyard. Make it a haven for your fine feathered friends!
You will need:

• undisturbed trees or shrubs, large enough to provide bird shelter
  
• native plants that provide seeds, berries and nectar
• water source such as a stream, pond or bird bath
• wildflowers
• one of more bird feeders
• and bird houses matched to your local species
• optional: logs

Step 1: Identify which trees and plants already attract your local bird life

Step 2: Add native trees, bushes and flowers that provide seeds, berries or nectar for wild birds.Consult your state horticultural or autobahn society for suggestions - or ask the local nursery. Think twice before getting rid of dead or dying branches and stumps which provide shelter to many bids. Consider adding logs to your landscaping.

Step 3: Include water in your yard. A bird bath, fountain, stream or pond will do the trick.

Step 4: Consider replacing some of our lawn with a wildflower meadow. Even a small patch of wildflowers and tall grass will attract wild birds.

Step 5: Hang bird feeders close to trees so birds can be sheltered and ideally inside of the window so you can enjoy watching them.

Step 6: Build or buy a bird house and then put it up. Check with your local library, fish, wildlife department or autobahn group to see what bird houses suit your local species. Keep your cats inside. It is estimated that house cats cause up to 1oo million bird deaths each year in the U.S.

Step 7: If a bird builds a nest in your yard, leave it in place even after the babies have flown. The birds might return next year.

Did you know?
The study by the National Autobahn Society showed that many common birds, from meadowlarks to field sparrows have recently suffered major population declines.




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Nature photos

Beautiful collection of photos of nature, pets and wildlife - to sit back, relax, enjoy - and smile... :)

Beautiful nature and wildlife photos

View more presentations from sunflower19020.

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How plants are useful to us

Every plant has its role in the chain of natural life on planet Earth. And I'm not talking about cleaning the air, preserving the top soil layer, providing food for humans and animals alike - or anything like that.

This morning, after I was done with watering, I grabbed my grass shears and cut the grass around the round flower beds edgers. The grass grows faster there - than anywhere else on the property. No wonder, it gets more nutrients (that escape from better soil in the flower bed) and escaped water.

Photo courtesy of Fiskars Garden

While cutting the grass blades and laying them carefully over the bare spots of soil in the nearest bed, I all of a sudden realized how very beneficial every plant is, even the kind that most people call a weed. If nothing else, a weed can become a mulch or a compost, providing nutrients and preserving the water - helping other plants thrive.

So, even the 'plant that mastered every aspect of plant life except for where to grow' (definition of a weed I read somewhere) - deserves some appreciation when turned into a mulch or compost.



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How to keep deer away

Photo "Deer, Oh Deer..." - courtesy of law_keven

Probably everyone agrees that deer is a beautiful animal, a pure joy to see when grazing on the edges of woods and pastures and mountain slopes.

Unfortunately, every home owner's feelings of joy can quickly turn into disappointment if this same graceful visitor of one's yard starts munching on the beautiful plants in our carefully planned and maintained backyard.

There are some plants that deer dislike but to protect most of them, we better quickly find out how to keep deer away.

How about an easy, affordable and effective solution, made from natural and food based ingredients, OMRI Listed® and approved for organic gardening by the USDA's National Organic Program?

Havahart® Deer Off® II 

 

The video below will show you how easy Deer Off®II is to use, no matter how big or small your yard.

NEW! Deer Off® II Battery-Powered Sprayer, RTU - also repels rabbits and squirrels - working two ways: by taste and odor. If the critter gets past the odor, it'll be repelled by the taste.

This is the first repellent on the market with a battery-powered sprayer, making application easy and hand fatigue a thing of the past - and therefore also very suitable for large lawns.

Its formula is weather-resistant, lasting up to 90 days, should not leave a visible film or residue - and will not change the color of plants or foliage.

Deer Off® II Battery-Powered Sprayer new formulation contains 4 times more of the active ingredient, dries odorless to humans - and is made in the U.S.A.



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New Zealand native birds

Every nature lover should see the marvelous paintings of birds and botanicals from NZ. They look so real one can almost hear the birds singing... :)

Janet Marshall - New Zealand Native Birds

Janet Marshall is a New Zealand artist specializing in New Zealand native birds, botanical and portrait paintings.

Professionally painting since 1970, she has had her work represented on 13 NZ Post stamps, has written and illustrated ten books for grown-ups and five books for children, including a New Zealand ABC with pictures and poems called K is for Kiwi.



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