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 and forms a dense, softly textured focal point in the landscape.
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 and forms 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 glasshouse red spider mite. 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
Requirements
| Hardiness | 3 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1 – 7 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Sambucus – Elder |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Mid) |
| Height | 5' – 10' (150cm – 3m) |
| Spread | 5' – 10' (150cm – 3m) |
| Spacing | 60″ – 120″ (150cm – 300cm) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
| Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens |
| Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |









