Sambucus racemosa Lemony Lace ('Smnsrd4')

RHS Plant Profile

red elderberry [Lemony Lace]

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Synonyms

Sambucus racemosa 'Smnsrd4'

Shrubs

A deciduous, compact, mound forming shrub with deeply divided golden to acid yellow leaves. Newly emerged leaves are often tinted bronze. It is grown principally as a foliage plant, but in early summer it produces frothy cream-white flowers followed in late summer by clusters of orange-red berries.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Viburnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
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: Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Leaf colour is often better retained in partial shade. In full sun or exposed positions, leaf scorch may occur

Propagation

Take softwood cuttings in midsummer, or hardwood cuttings in mid-autumn to late-winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1, or suitable for coppicing every 3-4 years. Tolerates hard renovation pruning to restrict size

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and honey fungus