Comments on: Gorgeous Golden Shrubs – Part 2

By: Stephen Reid Hollon

Stephen Reid Hollon — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:08:24 +0000

I have 2 very large Golden Elderberries in my yard which have never been cut back, but this is the first year that any berries have shown themselves. My question is; are the red berries edible? Ive heard of Elderberry wine for years. Are these the same berries used to make the wine.
Thanks,
Steve

I’m not sure which “golden elderberries” you have. If the berries ripen red and the leaves are finely cut, you probably have Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’. If the berries ripen from pinkish or reddish to black, then you likely have Sambucus nigra ‘Aurea’. Either way, the berries should be edible (I believe it’s only the seeds of S. racemosa that can be toxic) and could be used for wine-making. But please get a more definite ID of your plants, as well as expert advice on how to prepare them safely, before ingesting the berries.
-Nan

By: Amy Smith

Amy Smith — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:42:42 +0000

Nancy! I was googling Sambucus Southern Gold today and stumbled across your blog. Your gardens are beautiful! I am a very active gardener myself, so I love to see others’ gardens. Great job. Keep up the good work.

Have a nice day!
-Amy

Welcome to Hayefield, Amy! I hope you found the information you were looking for, and that you’ll visit again.
-Nan

By: Jody

Jody — Sun, 10 May 2009 05:15:51 +0000

thanks for all the great info! This is so weird… I thought your house and border looked familiar and realized I have your book… perennial gardener design primer! I also adore gold foliage. I just bought 3 sutherland gold’s and a few lime light hydrangeas for mother’s day.. now I need to figure out how to arrange them. Thanks again!

Jody

I’m glad you found me, Jody! You must have an amazing memory. Enjoy your new acquisitions!
-Nan