Hello and Happy Monday!
This week I'm in Chicago for the GWA Annual Conference and Expo and the IGC Show, so I'm re-running one of Shannon's posts from a few years ago about a plant that I just love to see in landscapes, Lemony Lace® Sambucus. It has the same gorgeous finely cut foliage that is reminiscent of Black Lace® Sambucus Nigra, but in a more compact form and with spectacular chartreuse foliage.
A few weeks ago I wrote an article for GardenSmart about identifying the different types of Sambucus, especially for those who wish to harvest the fruit or flowers for consumption. Since then I've been fascinated by this garden giant and have planted two Laced Up® elderberry plants along the back fence of my backyard. They just stand there happily like two sturdy little soldiers in my well-drained sandy soil, enjoying the heat of the summer. They are so easy to maintain, perhaps there's a Lemony Lace® Sambucus in my future as well!
Bring on the Hullabaloo!
Lemony Lace® elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) has developed a reputation as a bit of an attention hog. It's been known to beckon garden writers to come closer and ask, "What is that? Tiger Eyes Sumac?" No, no, friends, it is something much better. Same color, but more compact, non-suckering, and with flowers.Already an award winner, it boasts honors at the Farwest show in Portland, OR, and won The Garden Center Group Retailers Choice Award. Danny Summers, Managing Director for The Garden Center Group, remarked, “This distinctive golden, thread-like foliage looks wonderful in mixed borders or as a high-impact specimen plant."
Why the hullabaloo? Lemony Lace® elderberry's golden yellow, finely-cut foliage is highlighted by red new growth to create eye-catching texture in the landscape. Better color retention and sun tolerance make it an option for both full sun and part shade gardens. At 3-5’ tall and wide, it is more compact than ‘Sutherland Gold’ and also features more deeply cut foliage. White spring flowers produce red fruit in fall when pollinated*. This North American native is deer resistant and hardy to USDA Zone 3.
No wonder it's showboating across the country. Lemony Lace® elderberry possesses a versatile set of characteristics: multi-season interest, native, deer resistance, cold hardy, fruit for the birds, compact for small gardens... all deserving story topics.
 |
| Lemony Lace elderberry in the landscape: add a pair of googly eyes, and you'd have the most adorable muppet. |
 |
| The red new growth contrasts with the lemon-lime foliage. |
*A note from Natalie: like Sambucus Nigra, this plants needs another variety of Sambucus Racemosa to produce fruit.
