Yellow elder is considered the gem within the multi-faceted elder species. Originating from the well-known black elder, the subspecies scores with charming attributes and a robust constitution. The following plant portrait conveys the exciting details.
A spectacular appearance
Yellow elder attracts everyone's attention in the garden with bright white flowers in summer over golden yellow feathered leaves that decoratively turn green inwards. In autumn, sensual red berries with a wonderful aroma follow. This creates impressive color contrasts that come into their own over dark garden floors or in front of a shady wooded backdrop. The bright red fruit hanging from September creates additional drama in the visual appearance. An overview:
- Growth height 250 to 300 centimeters
- Growth width 150 to 250 centimeters
- loose, bushy, branched habit
- in old age with arching overhanging branches
A whole guy in every garden
The frost hardy yellow elder thrives in any good garden soil. Here he likes humus-rich, fresh soil and is not averse to a little lime. At the same time, it doesn't mind dry, sandy conditions, making it a magnificent specimen for the rock garden. As long as it is assigned a location in full sun to half shade, it unfolds its majestic beauty without extensive care requirements.
Useful care tips
So that the yellow elder - also known as Canadian elder - wears its magnificent foliage and fruit decoration every year, only a few care aspects have to be observed. The following tips summarize all the essentials:
- enrich the potting soil generously with compost and horn shavings
- Water young elders extensively until they grow
- Water established yellow elder in dry conditions
- Annual pruning in autumn maintains vitality
- Cut off worn fruit shoots and leave young canes
A yellow elder can also be easily raised into a small tree. This has the advantage that even small gardens do not have to do without this ornament. In winter, stick an unrooted stick 1 meter long in the ground. In the course of growth, all side branches along the main shoot are consistently removed up to the height of the base of the crown.
tips and tricks
Yellow elder is ideal for cultivation in a bucket. Since the wood is extremely pruning-tolerant, you can easily keep it at the desired height. Since it is resistant to constant wind, Canadian elder serves as a decorative protective green plant on the balcony and terrace.