Sambucus racemosa 'Plumosa Aurea'

RHS Plant Profile

European red elder 'Plumosa Aurea'

Synonyms

Sambucus folius aureus laciniata, Sambucus racemosa 'Folius Aureus Laciniata', Sambucus racemosa 'Serratifolia Aurea'

Shrubs

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A bushy deciduous shrub with golden-yellow, pinnate leaves composed of five attractively dissected leaflets, bronze-tinted when young; conical sprays of small cream flowers sometimes followed by scarlet berries ripening in summer

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: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–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
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

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and best in part shade, leaves may scorch in hot sun and colour is retained best in dappled shade

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter or semi-ripe greenwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

pruning group 7; tolerant of hard pruning to restrict size

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids (blackfly) which may infest the young shoots and foliage

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt and honey fungus