Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’ (Elderberry)

Noted for its golden foliage, Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’ (Elderberry) is a compact, deciduous shrub adorned with a luminous lacy foliage of deeply dissected leaves. Emerging copper-red in spring, the foliage turns attractive gold chartreuse, forming a dense, softly textured focal point in the landscape. In mid-spring, abundant clusters of creamy-white flowers are produced before the leaves. They give way to glossy red fruit that attracts birds in the fall. Colorful from spring through fall, this easy-to-grow shrub requires minimal care to remain healthy and looks wonderful in mixed borders or as a high-impact specimen plant.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 5-10 ft. tall and wide (150-300 cm).
• Performs best in part shade in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Susceptible to leaf scorch in full sun
• Excellent choice as a single specimen plant for mixed borders, informal screens, or hedges.
• May be subject to verticillium wilt, blackfly, and spider mites. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings or hardwood cuttings.
• Benefits from hard pruning as a young plant to develop a nice full habit. Older plants can be trimmed after flowering. This plant blooms on old wood, so spring pruning will reduce flower production.
• All parts may cause discomfort if ingested
• Elderflowers vs Elderberries: Uses, Safety & When to Harvest

Elderberries belong to the Sambucus genus in the Adoxaceae family, which includes about 5 to 10 species (plus several subspecies and varieties). The most popular are Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), Blue elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. caerulea, also published as Sambucus cerulea), and American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).