Elderberry Plants Versus Japanese Maples
Why Growing Sambucus Shrubs is an Alternative to Acer Palmatum
Aug 13, 2009
Sambucus and Acer palmatum are large deciduous shrubs or small trees that can be used as the backbone of a flower garden. But, Sambucus is able to thrive in northern gardens up to zone 3 or 4, making them more tolerant of cold winter conditions than Acer palmatum.
Acer palmatum is the popular Japanese maple well known for its dramatically colored leaves especially during autumn months. Sambucus, the botanical name for elderberry, produces large flowers that attract pollinators and develops berries in fall.
Hardy Elderberry Plants Attract Wildlife
Butterflies and bees favor elderberry plants for its flowers and birds attracted to its berries. More than Japanese maples, cold hardy elderberry shrubs tolerate windy sites, wetter soils and drought tolerant conditions. Sambucus is adaptable to a wider range of soil issues especially as elderberry plants mature.
Sambucus canadensis is a native elderberry, with round spring blooming flowers. This elderberry species grows 10’ – 12’ tall. Sambucus nigra is a European elderberry with flatter shaped flower heads that bloom late May through June. It is a non-suckering species but grows to 20’ tall.
Sambucus species can grow so easily that the plants become difficult to manage. Many gardeners cut the shrubs severely back in spring to control its size. However, cultivars have been created which have an improved landscaped appearance.
Sambucus Shrubs for Small Gardens
Hybrids of Sambucus have very dark foliage staying that color until the plant drops its leaves in fall. These elderberry plants are easy to grow hardy from zones 4 – 7 and grow best in in full to part sun. Smaller than the species, these plants fit in smaller garden plantings:
- Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ Black Lace™ has finely cut blackish-purple foliage, an attractive background for the blackish red berries seen in fall. The lacey appearance in the garden easily substitutes for a Japanese maple. Massive pink flowers bloom late spring and the bushy plant grows 6’ – 8’ tall, excellent in oriental gardens.
- Sambucus nigra ‘Gerda’ Black Beauty™ has a less lacey appearance, with nearly black glossy leaves. The large deep pink flowers that open in June are lemon scented. The small black berries in fall attract birds to this elderberry plant that grows 8’ –10’ tall.
- Sambucus canadensis ‘Laciniata’ has white blooms flowering in late spring. The deeply cut foliage is dark green and the plant grows to 10 feet tall.
Acer Palmatum for Fall Color
Japanese maples tend to leaf out early in spring, one reason why many plants thrive less in northern gardens where spring season can last through May. Hardy in zones 5 – 8, Acer palmatum likes growing in light dappled shade in a moist well draining soil that is protected from windy locations.
Japanese maples are known for their fine leaf texture and low dense form with spreading branches, which can develop a layered appearance. The variety of autumn leaf colors available in Acer palmatum cultivars has exponentially grown at garden centers.
Acer palmatum ‘Sister Ghost’ is one example of the colors in a Japanese maple. The young foliage is white to light green with black to greenish veining. As leaves age they turn green but in autumn are orange. An array of color for a small tree or large shrub is added value in any garden where it can thrive.
Japanese maples can reach 15’ to 25’ tall and 10’ to 25’ wide. As with color, now many trees are much smaller.
Dwarf Japanese Maples for Small Spaces
Japanese maples are diminutive trees able to fit in small, bonsai or railroad gardens. Here is a sample of suggestions of Acer palmatum cultivars:
- A.‘Goshiki Kotohime’ is a 3’ tall and 1 1/2 ‘ wide, dense but slow growing plant. The small crimp-edged, five-lobed leaves are not heavily dissected. The colors span young growth with pink tips to mid season green then yellow fall color.
- A.‘Ruby Stars’ is also 3’ tall and 1 1/2 ‘ wide but is more upright with star shaped foliage. The foliage is pinkish-red, then ruby red in summer and fiery yellows blending with the red in fall.
- A.‘Orangeola’ has a cascading layered look on a 4’ – 5’ tall plant. The leaves are deeply dissected bright reddish orange spring foliage turning reddish green in summer and fiery orange red in fall.
Elderberry plants and Japanese maples come in a selection of colorful leaves, flowers and berries that will attract wildlife as well as attention to a flower garden. Learning which will thrive in a garden location will ensure a gardener’s success growing them.
Permission received for all photos used in this article.
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