Sambucus racemosa 'GOLDENLOCKS'

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 in the world of SAMBUCUS, the world of colours, shapes and sizes that, with 10 different varieties, could well do for one complete garden.
Red elderberry received its name thanks to its coral red fruits hanging mature in dense racemes on this short shrub. And what makes it even more exquisite is the foliage that looks just as if stolen from golden Japanese maple. If you stand this elder and Japanese maple next to each other you will have to laugh about it. The leaves of the elder look just the same – deeply cut, ends slightly curled, new leaves bright golden-yellow, mature ones greenish-yellow. This shrub is a slow grower and forms a very attractive shape without pruning. It tolerates any soil, and will do best in full sun or part shade.