A highly ornamental shrub, Sambucus racemosa 'Welsh Gold' (Red Elderberry) has fantastic, showy foliage. The acutely serrated, lacy leaves are a deep fluorescent yellow-green. The contrasting white flowers bloom in early summer, followed by clusters of bright red berries in the fall. It is a stunning shrub from summer to late fall. The clusters of bright berries are loved by birds. (While edible, they should be thoroughly cooked before human consumption, or they may cause gastric distress. Please note that all parts of this plant can be toxic to all mammals, although most are not attracted to it.) Welsh Gold Elder or Sunrise Surprise Elder (Sambucus racemosa 'Sunrise Surprise') has an excellent, upright, compact form, growing to 3.5 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide. It’s the perfect plant for borders, low hedges or foundation plantings, as well as a wonderful planter accent. Best grown in sun and moist, well-drained soil. Prune hard in the early years to promote strong, bushy growth.
