Sambucus racemosa Welsh Gold - European Red Elder

Sambucus racemosa Welsh Gold is a new variety of elderberry bush, notable for its unique foliage - deeply incised and highlighted with gold and bronze - and for its modest size that allows it to fit into even the smallest garden. Its spring flowering in large white-pink umbels, and its pretty red berries, add to its charm. Light, striking like a Japanese maple, unobtrusive, and easy to grow in ordinary soil, requiring little maintenance, this truly superb bush has many assets for the garden.

A very hardy wild species widespread in Europe, North Africa, and as far as Asia Minor, Sambucus racemosa or mountain elderberry is a deciduous bush of the Caprifoliaceae family, like honeysuckles, weigelas, and valerians.

The 'Welsh Gold' variety distinguishes itself by a more modest growth, and remarkably architectural and colourful foliage. The plant has a bushy habit with trailing branches, and forms a mass 2m (7ft) high and 1.50m (5ft) wide at maturity, somewhat undefined and covered with extraordinary feathery foliage. Its growth is rapid. The deciduous leaves, opposite, have 7 finely incised leaflets with toothed edges, 20cm (8in) long and almost fluorescent. They are green-bronze in colour and turn yellow in summer. Honey producing, its flowering in large conical panicles of pale pink star-shaped flowers appears at the end of the stems from the month of March. This is followed by the formation of clusters loaded with very decorative round and bright red berries, which are a delight for birds.

Sambucus racemosa 'Welsh Gold' is undemanding in terms of soil type, as long as it is well-drained. It prefers partial shade and should be kept away from scorching sun. Plant it in a shrub border, preferably in the foreground, or near a doorway or window, or at the bend of a path. You can also keep it in a large pot or container for many years. It works well in combination with dark foliage plants (Physocarpus, Prunus, Berberis, Sambucus nigra Black Lace), Stanwell Perpetual cottage roses or Viburnum opulus. It also goes well with autumn colours, in front of a screen of deciduous euonymus, Cotinus, Hydrangea quercifolia, or Parrotia persica.

In the garden: Elderberry leaves are known to accelerate compost decomposition. Black elderberry leaf infusion is useful in organic gardening to combat mildew and aphid attacks, or rodents: soak 1 kg of leaves for a few days in 10 L of water, and spray as needed. It can also be planted in an orchard, where it will attract insect-eating birds.