Sambucus nigra 'Sanivalk' INSTANT KARMA European elder
size/type
taller shrub,taller shrub
usual height
1,5-2,5m
usual width
1,5-2,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
May-June
location
full to partial sun
soil type
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°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 about the common weed of our countryside and dive in 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:
INSTANT KARMA is a unique variety of European elder, found as a natural mutation in England in 2013. It produces variegated leaves with thin, soft yellow margins when young, maturing to almost white in summer. In late spring appear flattened panicles of white flowers which are followed by edible berries in late summer if pollinated by another elder. INSTANT KARMA exhibits medium vigour and makes a shrub about 2.5 tall and wide. Patented as PP28314 in 2015.Elder tolerates wide ranges of soil except waterlogged, and will be happy of almost any location. This variety grows quite neat and keeps its shape even without pruning but you can always gain a denser plant by early spring pruning. You can cut back anything from 1/3 to 2/3 of previous year’s growth but after hard pruning it will flower less. Fully hardy to min. -34°C (USDA zone 4)
Last update 12-02-2018
