Elderberry Aurea - an ornamental tree plant with edible berries
If the wild elder grows by itself and decorates only forests and fields, then its varietal varieties are widely used in landscape design. Elderberry Aurea is one of the most favorite varieties among gardeners due to its interesting lemon color of the leaves. In addition, unlike most plant species, it has a high frost resistance, and the berries can be eaten.
What a plant looks like: characteristic features
As a representative of the black elderberry tree, Aurea grows in the form of a powerful bush or even a small tree. Its height reaches a maximum of 3 m, and the crown is like a dome. The decorativeness of a tree begins already with its bark. The central shoots are covered with dark brown bark, while the young branches are light green. On the branches there are opposite pinnate leaves, large, divided into 6 lobes. Their length can reach 25 cm, and the edges of the leaf plate are decorated with small denticles. The leaves are colored in a rich lemon-yellow color and retain it throughout the season. Only by the fall they darken a little, and a green tint appears.
In early summer, delicate beige inflorescences - panicles consisting of small flowers begin to bloom on the lemon crown. In early September, black berries with a purple tint ripen.
Elderberry Aurea berries are edible. You can cook from them compotes jams, wine, juice. However, they are tied only on two-year-old shoots. This must be taken into account when pruning a tree.
Elderberry Aurea: growing and care
One of the most unpretentious crops, elderberry does not require much attention, but it can rightfully occupy the most prominent place in the garden. It is better to plant it in a well-lit area, where a lush tree will reveal all its decorative effect. In a semi-shady corner, it will not bloom so abundantly, moreover, the shoots will begin to stretch.
Caring for a beautiful and healthy tree is not difficult and includes procedures generally accepted for all cultures:
- Watering. If summer pampers with rain, there is no need for it - natural precipitation will be enough for the plant. In dry weather, you should water the elderberry abundantly at least once a week, especially during the flowering period. Elderberry has average drought resistance, and due to a lack of moisture, the berries become smaller, and the crown less often.
- Pruning. If the goal is not only to admire the gorgeous decorative foliage and abundant flowering, but also to get a harvest, you need to cut it correctly. On an adult tree, shoots should be left no older than 3 years, and on each of them - several two-year-old branches. It is on them that future berries will be tied. Shoots 4 years old and older will not only give a poor harvest, but will also look ugly. This variety has the peculiarity of exposing branches with age due to the large distance between internodes.
Elderberry Aurea can be grown not only in the south. In the middle lane, it also grows well and winters well. The tree can withstand frosts down to minus 30 °, but if it freezes, it quickly recovers.