It is anything but monotonous, the multifaceted world of elderberry species. The elderberry Sambucus nigra certainly has other decorative varieties to offer. Deer elder and Canadian elder don't have to hide behind it. Discover the most beautiful specimens.

The magnificent varieties of black elder

The genus elder accommodates 10 species with very different habitus. The undisputed star here is the mighty black elder, which is still one of the most common shrubs in Central Europe. Creative breeders have succeeded in making some strains worth seeing:

  • Large-fruited lilac berries 'Haschberg': extra large berries on umbels weighing up to 1000 grams
  • Black elder 'Sampo': particularly bushy growth and more productive than the wild species
  • Black elderberry 'Black Beauty': fantastically beautiful with pink flowers and dark red feathers
  • Black elder 'Black Lace': ideal for the small garden with white flowers and deep red leaves

The red-leaved columnar elderberry 'Black Tower' is an outstanding variety. With its slender silhouette, beautiful foliage, pink-white flowers and dramatic, purple-black berries, it attracts everyone's attention.

Beautiful Immigrant - Canadian Elder

An elder came to Europe from North America and served as a template for two spectacular varieties. Whether Canadian elder is to be classified as a subspecies of black elder or as a separate species is up to the botanists. In any case, this does not change the breathtaking appearance of the two most popular varieties:

  • Leaves, creamy white flowers and bright red berries
  • Sambucus canadensis 'Maxima': fast-growing variety with large fruits and huge, white flowers

If you are looking for a Canadian elder in the trade, it is often sold under the name yellow elder.

Deer elder - an elegant appearance

The imposing growth form of a black elder is countered by the red elder or grape elder with unmistakable elegance. Its varieties score with panicle-shaped flowers and bright red fruits.

  • Fern-leaved Grape Elderberry 'Sutherland Gold': Deeply dissected, rich yellow leaves beneath red berries
  • Grape elderberry 'Plumosa Aurea': delicate pinnate leaves with a light green underside, large bright red fruits

tips and tricks

The dwarf elder is not recommended for growing in the garden. With its herbaceous growth and highly poisonous berries, the parakeet presents no significant advantages. On the contrary, its berries are so similar to the edible elderberries of the black elder that some careless consumption has unpleasant consequences.

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Category:

Vegetable garden