Sambucus Plumosa Aurea (Golden Cut-leaf Elder)
Overview
The Sambucus Plumosa Aurea is a spectacular ornamental shrub that brings year-round golden beauty to any garden. This stunning variety of elderflower, also known as the Golden Cut-leaf Elder, combines the classic charm of traditional elder with dramatically improved foliage colour and an elegant, refined growth habit. Perfect for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance yet show-stopping feature plant.
Key Features
This remarkable shrub displays deeply dissected, feathery golden-yellow foliage that creates an almost fern-like appearance. The intricate leaf structure catches and filters sunlight beautifully, creating dappled golden light effects throughout the garden. In early summer, clusters of creamy-white, fragrant flowers appear, followed by dark purple-black berries in autumn that are beloved by birds and wildlife.
Growing Conditions
Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, though golden colouration is most vibrant in sunny positions Soil: Adaptable to most soil types, preferring moist but well-drained conditions pH: Tolerates a wide range from slightly acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0-8.0) Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK (RHS H7), withstanding temperatures down to -15°C
Size and Growth Habit
Mature plants typically reach 2-3 metres in height and spread, forming an attractive rounded shrub. The growth rate is moderate to fast, making it ideal for filling space relatively quickly whilst remaining manageable for most gardens. The naturally neat, compact habit requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape.
Planting and Care
Plant in spring or autumn, spacing 2-3 metres apart if using as a hedge or screen. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and incorporate well-rotted compost. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, this hardy shrub is remarkably drought-tolerant.
Watering: Regular watering during dry spells, particularly important for young plants Feeding: Annual spring application of general-purpose fertiliser or well-rotted manure Pruning: Light pruning in late winter if required; remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches
Seasonal Interest
Spring: Fresh golden foliage emerges, creating immediate impact Summer: Fragrant cream flower clusters attract beneficial insects Autumn: Dark berries provide food for wildlife whilst foliage begins to turn Winter: Attractive bare stems with interesting bark texture
Garden Uses
Exceptional as a specimen plant in mixed borders, woodland gardens, or as an informal hedge. The golden foliage provides excellent contrast against darker-leaved plants and evergreens. Particularly effective when planted where morning or evening light can illuminate the translucent leaves. Also suitable for larger containers on patios or terraces.
Wildlife Value
The flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects, whilst the autumn berries provide valuable food for birds including blackbirds, thrushes, and finches. The dense growth habit offers excellent nesting opportunities for smaller birds.
Companion Planting
Pairs beautifully with purple-leaved plants such as Cotinus, deep blue flowers like hardy geraniums, or silver foliage plants including artemisia. Underplant with spring bulbs or shade-tolerant perennials for extended seasonal colour.
This golden elder variety offers the perfect combination of striking appearance, wildlife value, and ease of care, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners seeking reliable year-round garden interest.
Buying Shrubs from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we sell a variety of shrubs both evergreen and deciduous with a variety of flowering times throughout the year. At certain times of the year our shrubs you buy from us may not look like the images shown on our website when deciduous leaves have fallen, the shrub has finished flowering or has been trimmed back.
Some leaves on evergreen shrubs can be damaged in winter by frost or harsh winds but in spring new leaves will readily replace those damaged. This is quite normal on many evergreen varieties and is preferable to plants grown with excessive protection that show cold shock once planted out and establish less satisfactory initially.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
* Please Note: Shrubs in 20 litre pots and above might require a pallet delivery starting at £79.99 per pallet. Depending on the exact pot size and height it may be possible to get approximately 5 plants per pallet at no extra cost. The maximum height we can dispatch on a pallet is 2.0m, this includes the height of the pallet and pot.
Shrubs are deciduous or evergreen woody plants, and often provide fragrant flowers, berries and foliage. They are good for structural framework, and they can provide a wonderful shelter and food source for wildlife.
Planting and Conditions
Container grown shrubs can be grown at any time of year. It is a little known fact that shrubs planted in the autumn and winter will be easier to look after than those planted in the spring and summer, because they will have time to establish and become hardy in the cooler months.
Plant the shrub at the same depth as it was in its original pot. Planting too deeply can result in root and stem rot.
One of the biggest causes of death in new shrubs is drought stress, so keep it well watered until it’s established.
Make sure you loosen the soil prior to planting. Most shrubs are tolerant of most soil types as long as it is fairly well draining.
Most shrubs will grow happily in containers, but they will be much more demanding on feeding and watering than shrubs in the ground would be. They will also need potting on every couple of years so that they don’t suffocate or become stunted in their pot.
Aftercare and Pruning
Once established, shrubs generally do not require much water. However, at first they need careful, frequent watering and should not be left to dry out.
Shrubs in the ground are generally not demanding and in most cases, annual feeding with general purpose fertilizer will suffice. Shrubs in containers may need more feeding; usually from early spring until late summer.
Shrubs also benefit from mulching in order to supress weeds, conserve moisture and provide vital nutrients. Mulch also greatly improves soil conditions. Shrubs can be mulched in late winter, after fertiliser has been applied, but it can be mulched through autumn to late spring as long as the ground is damp.
All shrubs benefit from dead-heading once spent flowers become apparent. Rhododendrons and Lilac especially benefit from the removal of dead flowers.
Some shrubs may show signs of reverted growth or ‘sporting’. This is where random shoots of different leaves associated with the plant’s parentage begin to appear. Most commonly this is where plants with variegated leaves sprout pure green growths instead of variegated ones.
To control reversion, remove reverted shoots promptly to discourage them. Reverted shoots are usually much more vigorous than the variegated ones, and thus should be completely pruned out and cut back into wood containing variegated foliage.
Potential Issues
Although shrubs are usually very robust garden plants, they can sometimes start to decline with no apparent or obvious reason.
This will start with browning leaves, which could indicate plant stress due to lack of water or waterlogging, an establishment failure or, in the worst case scenario, honey fungus. Another cause of leaf browning is a high salt content in the soil. This could be a natural occurrence, especially if you live near the ocean, or it could be from over fertilisation.
To remedy a high salt content, cut back on fertiliser and step up your watering regime for the next few weeks. If you live by the ocean, this will be harder to remedy—but stepping up your watering will help to wash some of the salt away all the same.