Sambucus racemosa
European Red Elder
Caprifoliaceae
ExpandHabitat
- native to Europe
- hardy to zone 4
Habit and Form
- a deciduous shrub
- multi-stemmed
- 8' to 12' tall
- medium texture
- fast growth rate
Summer Foliage
- opposite leaf arrangement
- odd-pinnately, compound leaves
- 5 to 7 leaflets
- 6" to 9" long
- elliptic to linear leaf shape
- sharply serrated margins
- dark green leaf color
Autumn Foliage
- not ornamentally important
Flowers
- yellowish-white flowers
- borne in 5" long panicles
- blooms in May
- showy
Fruit
- red fruit
- 0.25" in diameter
- matures in July attracts wildlife
Bark
- brown. slender stems
Culture
- transplants easily
- prefers moist soil
- pH adaptable
Landscape Use
- naturalized effect
- bogs
- for fruit
Liabilities
- powdery mildew
- leaf spot
ID Features
- usually no terminal bud
- brown and small lateral buds
Propagation
- by seed
- by division
- by semi-hardwood cuttings
Cultivars/Varieties
'Plumosa' - This form only differs with the deep serrations on itsleaflets, creating a finer-textured appearance. 'Plumosa Aurea' is a common specialty plant valued for its cut leaves that emerge bright yellow and fade to green by mid-summer.
'Sutherland Golden' (also listed as 'Sutherland Gold') - The leaflets of this plant are incised deeply and hold a golden yellow color. Similar, but smaller, is 'Goldenlocks' (also listed as 'Golden Locks'). This new form only reaches 3' tall.
'Tenuifolia' - This is a less vigorous grower most notable for its ferny cut leaves.