Lemony Lace Elderberry is a stunning cultivar of red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) prized for its ornamental foliage rather than fruit production. This hardy shrub grows 4 to 7 feet tall and thrives in zones 3 through 8, offering gardeners a striking combination of delicately dissected golden leaves and vibrant red berries that ripen in fall. The bright, intricate foliage creates a dense mound of texture that catches light beautifully, while white spring flowers give way to ornamental fruit that attracts birds rather than serving human consumption. In full sun conditions, this variety truly shines; it's a frost-hardy plant that handles moderate watering and adapts to soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-8
84in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The real draw here is the foliage. Golden, finely cut leaves create an almost lacy appearance that transforms any garden space into something botanical and refined. Unlike its relatives grown primarily for edible berries, Lemony Lace exists for pure visual drama, with vibrant red fruit in fall that birds adore but humans should leave untouched. This combination of ornamental leaves, spring flowers, and fall color makes it a four-season performer that earns its place in a garden.
Lemony Lace Elderberry serves as an ornamental shrub, valued for its striking foliage and seasonal color changes rather than for culinary harvest. The bright, dissected golden leaves provide year-round visual interest, while the red berries that develop in fall attract birds and songbirds to the garden. This variety is grown primarily for landscape beauty and wildlife support rather than food production.
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Seeds require cold stratification and germinate at temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date, using moist seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the germination period.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, then transplant outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 4 to 7 feet apart to accommodate mature spread. Choose a location with full sun or light shade.
Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged canes. Light pruning maintains the dense mound structure and encourages vigorous new growth with the brightest golden foliage. Remove older canes at ground level to rejuvenate the shrub every few years.
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