Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold'
European red elder 'Sutherland Gold'
A medium-sized deciduous shrub with attractively dissected, bright golden-yellow, pinnate leaves. Small conical heads of creamy-white flowers appear in spring, followed by glossy red berries in autumn
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream | Yellow | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Red | ||
| Autumn | Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Viburnaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Sambucus can be herbaceous perennials, deciduous shrubs or small trees, with pinnate leaves and umbels or panicles of small creamy-white flowers followed by red, white or black berries
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in moderately fertile, humous rich, moist but well-drained soils and also thrives on extremely chalky sites. Susceptible to leaf scorch in full sun
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or suitable for coppicing every 3 to 4 years. Tolerates hard size-restricting pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and honey fungus
Get involved
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