Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold'

RHS Plant Profile
European red elder 'Sutherland Gold'
European red elder 'Sutherland Gold' RHS
Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
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
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

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings

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