Sambucus racemosa 'Tenuifolia'

RHS Plant Profile

European red elder 'Tenuifolia'

RHS 2002

Shrubs

A compact, deciduous shrub with finely cut leaves composed of slender lobes, and occasionally with a few conical panicles of cream flowers, followed by red berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 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: South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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
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

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Wildlife gardens
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