Within its genus, dwarf elder takes the position of an ostracized outsider. This circumstance is less due to its appearance than to the poison content. The Attich certainly has its positive attributes, as the following portrait reveals.
The dwarf elder is a popular ornamental tree
Decorative windbreak plant for small gardens
The dwarf elder lost its original importance as an important medicinal plant in the Middle Ages. The perennial musk herb makes up for this with compact growth. Even at wind-exposed locations along the sea coast, a parakeet does not go limp. At the same time, since it is far from reaching the size of a black elder, it acts as a practical windbreak plant in small gardens. His data at a glance:
- Growth height: 60 to 150 centimeters
- Growth width: 60 to 100 centimeters
- annual growth: 10 to 25 centimeters
- white plate flowers from May to June
- black elderberries from August
- deciduous and hardy
Since a dwarf elder - in contrast to other types of elder - does not become woody, its shoots prove to be much more flexible in windy conditions. Thanks to the pretty, terminal flowers and the upright infructescence, the parakeet decorates and protects the garden. The only downside is the toxicity of the entire plant, including the berries.
Dwarf elder plant in the bed
Anyone who is aware of the poison content of dwarf elder and protects it accordingly, plants it in a sunny to partially shaded location. The robust plant thrives even under less favorable light conditions, as long as the soil is sufficiently rich in nutrients and humus. Attich is therefore ideal for naturalising large areas and giving them a natural character. Here's how to do it:
- wear long-sleeved clothing and gloves
- Deeply loosen the soil at the site and enrich it with compost
- create a planting pit with 1.5 times the circumference of the root ball
- pot the dwarf elder, put it in the ground and water it
- create a pouring edge that falls towards the root collar
- a planting distance of 60-80 centimeters is considered appropriate
A mulch layer of leaves, nettle leaves or grass clippings keeps the soil moist for longer and promotes growth. If the parakeet has already sprouted by the time of planting, cut it back by a third. In the first few weeks after planting, it should be watered more frequently so that the roots can establish themselves well. As a result, the dwarf elder is content with the natural rainfall.
Insertion in the bucket
Thanks to its bushy growth of up to 150 centimeters, dwarf elder is ideal for pot culture. It should be ensured that no children or pets get near it. Commercial potting soil, which is enriched with compost, can be used as a substrate. Drainage above the water drain in the floor prevents harmful waterlogging.
tips and tricks
Dwarf elder is unsuitable as a windbreak for the seat in the garden or on the terrace. An essential distinguishing feature to the less poisonous elder species is its unpleasant to disgusting smell.