Grafted rootstock is preventing that on apothecary rose. Informal gardens are becoming more popular, and so it is actually easier and healthier to grow this rose on its own rootstock. Flowers on California rose -single, pink Rosa woodsii var. When I first had my own little garden and started gardening, I read as many books as possible, I had a degree in botany but no real hands-on experience. Every one of those books told me to plant this plant for the birds so that they would not bother my apples, plums, cherries, apricots and peaches.
Many people consider it a weed.
I consider it a treasure. Much of the enjoyment I get from my herb garden and helping others to plan and plant their gardens comes from watching the wildlife and the elderberry does attract the birds. Also, pies can be made from the berries, or jelly or elderberry wine. I can't say for sure if it deters the birds from eating my fruit, they still seem to love those plums, esp. This is a deciduous shrub, around 4 ft. tall, a mass of golden color in the early spring, and a mass of ruby colored jewels turning to black in the summer.