Your ELDERS just got even BETTER
Stunning dark foliage, pretty scented f lowers and suitable for any soil – no wonder these ornamentals are taking the world by storm
DURING the early Noughties, a dramatic new ornamental elder took the gardening world by storm. Bred by the experts at Horticulture Research International in Kent and originally named Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’, it was eagerly snapped up by gardeners because of its near-black leaves and sprays of tiny, scented pink flowers.
It certainly wasn’t the first dark-leaved elder – that accolade belongs to Sambucus ‘Guincho Purple’ (syn ‘ Purpurea’), which had been around for decades – but it was far superior. Growing to only about half the height of its rival, the foliage remained purple from spring until autumn, rather than fading to green in summer.
The success of this deciduous shrub led to a renewed interest in ornamental elders, and over the next few years a flurry of tempting newcomers landed in garden centres and
They’re ideal for adding height and bulk to the back of mixed borders
nurseries. A quick glance at the latest edition of the RHS Plant Finder guide reveals that more than 100 varieties are now available in the UK.
All of these garden-worthy plants have been developed from a group of deciduous shrubs and small trees native to Europe, North and South America, Australia and tropical East Africa. Most are closely related to our own common elder (Sambucus nigra), a familiar sight in woodland, hedgerows and scrubland. Common elder is steeped in folklore. Country folk used to hang wreaths of elder in their homes to protect them from lightning, and in the 17th Century people planted seedlings next to their cottages to guard against witches. In some parts it was believed that burning elder wood would bring misfortune.
The botanical name sambucus comes from the Greek word sambuce, an ancient wind instrument made from the tree’s branches. As for its common name, it’s thought to derive from the Anglo- Saxon word aeld, or fire, as the hollowedout stems were once used like bellows to blow air into campfires to get them going.
Back in the garden, ornamental elders are ideal for adding height and bulk to the back of mixed beds and borders, or planted as freestanding specimens. They have attractive green, golden, purple or variegated foliage with a few possessing finely divided leaves, giving plants a passing resemblance to Japanese maples.
In my opinion, the dark-leaved elders are most desirable. ‘Black Beauty’ is still worth growing, although it’s now known as ‘Gerda’. Best of all, however, is Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla ‘Eva’, with its delicate, ferny foliage. I have a 7ft-tall specimen that adds a touch of glamour to a corner bed.
There’s no doubt their foliage is the main draw, but at this time of year elders have an added attraction – frothy heads of sweetly perfumed, white or pink flowers. Those smothering common elder are often gathered by foragers for making cordial or syrup and for adding to puddings, cakes, sorbets and other desserts.
Ornamental elders are happy in just about any type of soil – I’ve grown them in clay and sand. Purple leaved ones prefer a sunny spot, otherwise foliage tends to turn bronze-green, while yellow varieties like dappled shade to prevent sun scorch. Others will do well in sun or light shade.
Container-grown elders can be planted at any time of the year. Dig a hole that’s three times the width of its rootball and the same depth – prick the inside of the excavation with a fork if soil is hard to allow roots to penetrate.
Place the shrub in the centre and back-fill with soil, firming down as you go. Water and mulch.
Prune between late winter and early spring. Some people cut coloured forms back to within 18in of the ground to encourage a flush of new stems. I prefer to retain a 6ft-tall framework, reducing wayward branches and removing some older branches to ease congestion.