Sambucus (Elderberry) 'Variegata'

You will find Elderberry native in many parts of the country and we have them in abundance in our Inland Northwest area. The plants you will find in Garden Centers however have been hybridized to have unusual leaf colors and shapes. The plants flower in the spring with clusters of white or pink blooms, then black, red or white fruit follows. Sambucus form and leaf colors come in a variety of shape and colors but they are fast growing, hardy, drought tolerant, disease and insect resistant, deer resistant, overall a wonderful shrub in your garden. Here is just a sampling of what we will be carrying in our garden center this season.

Quite striking foliage of white/chartreuse and green. The flowers occur in large clusters of white blooms and if an appropriate pollinator are present you will have dark purple berries in the fall.  Both Black Lace and Black Beauty are good pollinators.  6 feet tall and wide, possibly larger. Sun to full shade. Attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Zone 4.