Golden Elder Gives Show
By Jos Van Hage
Saturday, August 23, 2008 03:45 AM
The Golden Elder is a deciduous shrub that is sure to add bright color to any landscape. The foliage consists of golden yellow leaves that retain their bright color throughout the growing season. The leaves are pinnate with serrated leaflets adding nice texture to the garden landscape. The plant also produces clusters of tiny white flowers in mid August that are later followed by red berries that are enjoyed by the birds.This is a very fast growing shrub that will grow in average soil that is moist and well drained. It will tolerate drought conditions once it has been established. Choose a sunny location as it prefers full sun to light shade and if it has too much shade the foliage will not be as colorful.
I have a few in my yard and can attest to its rapid growth. They grew 7-8 feet over the summer and are starting to come into flower now. On average the Golden Elder will grow 5-12 feet tall and 6-8 feet across.
To keep the shrub looking dense, and compact it should be pruned each year in the spring before the leaves break out. If they are not pruned they can become scraggly. You can cut them right back to within a few buds from the ground and this will encourage lots of colorful new growth. Fertilize with a tree and shrub fertilizer in late May- early June and then once again in mid to late July
This showy plant is perfect for anyone who is looking for something that grows quickly. It is also great if you want to invite birds into the yard as they enjoy eating the berries. It is hardy to zone 3 and grows very well in our area and has certainly found a spot in my yard!
-Jos
Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Garden Centres in Prince George:
- Highway 16 West at Kimball Road
- Hghway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road
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