Sambucus nigra 'LACINIATA' European elder
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
2-3m
usual width
1-2m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
May-June
location
full sun to shade
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Aren’t the breeders krafty, I often say to myself. Take European elder, for instance. This omnipresent shrub grows anywhere, without any maintenance and the more you prune it the thicker it gets. Well, what a promising start for cultivation, someone said. And here we are! So forget this common weed of our countryside and dive into the world of SAMBUCUS, the world of colours, shapes and sizes that, with 10 different varieties, could well do for one complete garden.
Description of the plant:
Laciniata is an expression used in dendrology for foliage that is deeply and finely lobed, just like Dissectum for Japanese maples. This variety of European elder offers the same foliage quality: finely lobed leaves of mid green colour. Panicles of white flowers appear in May. Its vigorous growth helps this shrub soon make a dense cover of leaves, but we still recommend pruning or trimming it to keep it in a desirable size and shape. It tolerates any soil and location and is fully hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5). Last update 14-03-2010
