Frothy, white elderflowers can be found across the UK’s trees and hedgerows in late spring – and can be turned into delicious homemade elderflower cordial. Learn how to identify elderflower, where to find it and delicious recipes to make with our expert foraging guide.

By Carys Matthews

Published: Tuesday, 23 May 2023 at 12:00 am

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In late spring elder (Sambucus nigra) trees and hedgerows start to blossom with the sweet scent of fragrant and delicate elderflowers. Easily found in the British countryside, woodlands, parks and gardens, the elder tree is also known as Black Elder, Ellhorn, Pipe tree, Bore tree, Eller and Holler.

The white, frothy elderflowers tend to bloom in late May and flower until early August when the elder berries begin to ripen. The flowers can be collected to make delicious elderflower cordial, added to cakes or biscuits or even deep-fried to make tasty elderflower fritters.

June is typically the best time of year to collect elderflower as the flowers are at their freshest. Pick the flowers on a warm, dry day and don’t forget to give them a little shake to remove any insects (without harming the insects), before soaking or rinsing in cold water and leaving them to dry. Try to avoid collecting elderflower from busy roads as the flowers will absorb the traffic-fumes.

Our expert elderflower guide includes information on how to identify, where to find it and delicious recipes you can make from elderflower.

What is elderflower?

Elderflower is the late spring and summer flower found on the elder tree (Sambucus Nigra). Come August it begins to produce rich, dark elderberries that can be harvested to make elderberry wine.

When is elderflower in season?

In the UK elderflower blooms begins to appear in late May and the season can last until August, although it tends to be past its best by then.

What does elderflower look like?

Elder trees are incredibly common across the UK. They are small hedgerow trees with corky bark that is deeply fissured as it gets older. The leaves comprise 5-7 oval leaflets with festery edges. The creamy flowers festoon the trees in June and the smell is particularly strong on warmer days.

Elderflowers are the last of the great tree flower displays of the year. The umbrellas of dense, tiny white flowers send out an alluring sweet smell that can be captured in drinks such as cordial and champagne.

In June, the elder is at its finest, its leaves almost lost beneath the white of its flowers. The petals are small and clustered, but form an umbel that is broad and soporifically scented, like a dollop of perfume-infused, inflorescent ice-cream.

The crowns of elderflower have long been gathered. Some are dunked in batter and fried, while others find their way into cordials, wines or bottles of fermented fizz. This impacts little upon the tree’s regeneration, however, and by August those pollinated flowers that remain will have transformed into berries that ripen from green to deep claret.

• See our guide to common British trees, including how to identify and where to see

How to forage for elderflower

Take a pair of sharp scissors and remove flower heads just below where all the small stems meet the main stem – you want as little of the green stem in your recipes as possible. Gather only a few flowerheads from each tree so as to allow as many as possible to develop into berries – a crucial late summer food source for birds, mammals and insects. A fabric bag or basket is the best way to carry your haul.

• See our monthly foraging guide for advice on what to find each season and tips on how to forage responsibly

What are the health benefits of elderflowers?

For thousands of years elderflower has been believed to have medicinal and healing properties.  You’ve probably tried elderflower in a tasty summer cordial but these flowers can be used for much more. The flowers have both anti-septic and anti-inflammatory effects, so country folk have been using them in home-remedies for centuries. A mix of elderflower and water can be used to alleviate symptoms of anything from the common cold to some forms of arthritis.

Best elderflower recipes

Nothing says summer like a fizzy glass of elderflower cordial (also delicious added to a gin and tonic or sparkling white wine). Here is a selection of delicious recipes to make using elderflowers.

Elderflower cordial

The floral taste of this traditional syrup is great with water, but also complements pastries, cakes, ice-cream and champagne or sparkling wine. Enjoy a fresh and fragrant drink with this easy and delicious elderflower cordial recipe – the perfect summer drink.

• Best summer picnic recipes

Elderflower fritters

Make these light, golden, crunchy elderflower bites that retain that glorious scent of summer. Dust lightly with icing sugar or serve with ice cream for a sweet treat.

Elderflower and gooseberry jam

Make this tasty elderflower and gooseberry jam to enjoy summer flavours in the winter months.

• How to make jams and preserves: techniques and recipe ideas

Gooseberry, elderflower and lemon pancakes

Elderflower and gooseberries are two ingredients we should make the most of while they’re here, and these early summer pancakes are a lovely way to bring them together, says chef and food writer Gill Meller.

 

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