The yellow-leaved answer to the popular Black Lace® elderberry by Proven Winners, Lemony Lace® elderberry is an attractive medium-size deciduous specimen shrub that produces finely textured, lacy foliage in bright shades of chartreuse and lemon-yellow foliage all spring and summer long; in the early to mid spring Lemony Lace® produces profuse white lacecap flowers like many other elderberry varieties. Growing to a maximum size of only 3-8' tall, Sambucus racemosa Lemony Lace® is an excellent accent piece throughout the landscape, with flowers providing a great deal of interest to early season pollinators, and red fall fruit attracting birds in the autumn.
Lemony Lace® performs best in full to part sun, and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions while requiring very little maintenance over time due to its compact size and environmental versatility. This elderberry selection makes an excellent choice for a pop of color in border hedges and privacy screens, grows well near foundations, and makes an excellent small specimen plant with a lot of ecological appeal. With careful care and a careful eye on watering, the Lemony Lace® variety even works well for containers.
Note: While proper preparation of elderberry fruits can produce tasty pies, pancakes, jellies, and liqueurs, improperly prepared elderberry can result in intense stomach upset, so care should be taken when planting around children or pets.
(Flowering and fruiting pictures courtesy of Proven Winners.)