Elderberry 'Madonna'
- Scientific Name: Sambucus nigra 'Madonna
- Garden: Wildlife Garden
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous
- Sun/Shade Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Moisture Requirements: Moist, Well-Drained
Plant Information
This choice specimen livens up the garden all season long with its stunning leaves of green splashed with gold. It bears flattened, creamy white flowers that mature into glossy black fruit. It grows more slowly than most elderberries. It makes an attractive specimen.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Sambucus is suitable for mixed or shrub borders, or for naturalizing in wild areas. The fruits of this genus have culinary attributes when cooked, but can cause illness if eaten raw, or if the poisonous seeds are consumed.
Care: Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade; this cultivar benefits from afternoon shade. Sambucus may be pruned minimally to maintain a healthy framework, but it benefits from hard pruning to restrict its size. If desired, cut back annually to within 2 or 3 buds from a permanent framework.
NOTE: Raw unripe elderberries and other parts of the elder tree, such as the leaves and stem, contain toxic substances (e.g., sambunigrin) that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; cooking eliminates this toxin. Large quantities of the toxin may cause serious illness.
Little is known about whether it’s safe to use elderberry during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Source: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/elderberry
Data Source
https://www.finegardening.comPlant Photos
