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Black elder Aurea (Sambucus nigra, Solitaire) is a shrub plant used in landscape design: squares, parks, private areas. It is one of the twenty representatives of the species, the berries of which do not contain hydrocyanic acid and can be eaten.
History of variety breeding
Aurea black elderberry is an ornamental sprawling tree, whose historical homeland is North America. This is an independent non-breeding variety, used in landscape design on the territory of the Federation due to its exotic appearance and frost resistance, the fruits of the culture are used in the food industry.
Description of black elderberry Aurea
Elder grows in the temperate and subtropical zone as a shrub or small spreading tree. The culture includes more than 15 species distributed on the territory of Our Country, which include decorative forms of chokeberry representatives and shrubs with red berries.
One of the varieties in demand for cultivation is the black elderberry Aurea, shown in the photo. Characteristic features of a deciduous shrub:
- It reaches a height of 3 m, the main trunk is thick dark brown, young shoots are light green. The dense, fast-growing crown resembles a dome; constant pruning is required to maintain its shape.
- The leaves of the plant are pinnate, opposite, yellow, turning dark green by autumn. Belong to the category of complex, have 6 sheets. In an elongated oval shape, reaching up to 25 cm. The edges are uneven with many well-defined teeth.
- The flowers are small, light beige, collected in paniculate inflorescences, formed in the upper part of young shoots.
- Berries of saturated purple color are closer to black color, small with a diameter of up to 6 mm. The drupe fruit is edible only during biological ripeness.
Black elderberry is grown throughout the middle lane, southern regions, and the North Caucasus.
A variety of chokeberry plumosis (pinnate structure) includes Canadian elderberry Aurea (S. canadensis). Outwardly similar to black, but there are also distinctive features:
- differs in height, Canadian is about 1 meter higher;
- inflorescences are large, collected in umbellate panicles of a flat shape with a diameter of 20 cm;
- flowers are white, large;
- the crown is less dense;
- leaves are complex, consist of 7 sheets 30 cm long;
- fruits of purple color, 10 mm in size.
The culture has a specific pungent odor. It grows quickly, at the age of 2 years it bears fruit. The Canadian elderberry variety is less resistant to low temperatures compared to the black Aurea.
The red-fruited representative of the elderberry species Aurea cystic plumosa (Sambucus racemosa, Sambucus racemosa Plumosa Aurea) is grown only for the purpose of designing the territory:
- undersized shrub (2–2,5 m) with a wide, oval, dense crown;
- the leaves are light green, by autumn they change color to bright yellow;
- elderberry blooms in early May, after 14 days the bush is covered with scarlet clusters;
- fruits contain a high concentration of hydrocyanic acid;
- frost-resistant variety.
Aurea red elder has a sharp unpleasant odor that repels rodents and insects, so it is recommended to plant the plant near fruit trees and vegetable crops. For design purposes, it is well suited for border decoration and as a single plant. Has no ornamental varieties. It grows rapidly, it needs constant formation of a bush, it is demanding for watering. Unlike chokeberry representatives of the elderberry species, Aurea red plumosa is not cultivated on an industrial scale, since the fruits are unsuitable for human consumption.
It occurs throughout Our Country, except for regions with severe winters.
Characteristic of the variety
The reason for the popularity of growing varieties of black elderberry was the unpretentiousness of the plant in care, exotic appearance, gastronomic value of the fruit.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Moisture-loving plant, needs periodic watering, drought resistance is average. The lack of water affects the size of the fruit and the density of the crown. The frost resistance of the variety made it possible to grow Aurea black elderberry in areas with a temperate climate. If a decrease in temperature is expected, it is recommended to insulate the root system. Frozen young shoots are fully restored in spring. The minimum temperature for elderberry is -30 °C.
Yield and fruiting
The photo shows the elder plumose Aurea. This is a self-fertile crop, the peak yield occurs in the fifth year after planting. The number of berries from a bush is lower, from a tree more. On average, one crop is harvested:
Growth time (year) | Quantity per unit (kg) |
1 | 1 |
2 | 3 |
3 | 11 |
4 | 18 |
5 | 20 |
Elderberry ripens by mid-September.
To taste, the fruits of black elderberry are sweet and sour, with a bright specific aroma. With prolonged drought, the berries lose their elasticity and bake. The fruits of the black variety are well fixed on the stalk, after ripening they are on the bush for a long time and do not crumble.
Scope of fruits
Aurea black elderberry is immediately processed after harvesting, the culture is not stored. On the second day, the berry flows – fermentation begins. It is transported over short distances in refrigerators at a temperature of +3 °C. It is used in the food industry as a natural dye. Suitable for making wine, juice. Used in medicine. Compotes, jams are prepared at home.
Disease and pest resistance
Aurea black elderberry is a representative of the wild nature, has a strong immunity against diseases and pests. In rare cases, it is affected by a fungal infection.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Characteristics of the advantages of the plant:
- bright, unusual appearance;
- increased productivity;
- immunity to disease and pests;
- frost-resistant, after freezing it is restored;
- has been growing in the same place for many years.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- medium heat resistance
- it is necessary to form a bush,
- has a specific smell
- berries do not lie and are poorly transported.
Planting and caring for black elderberry Aurea
No matter how unpretentious the Aurea black elderberry is, cultivation and care is carried out in compliance with the rules of agricultural technology. For this, you need to follow the recommendations.
Recommended timing
You can plant a variety in the spring at the end of April, provided that the earth has warmed up. Autumn at the beginning of November. Terms are conditional – in each climatic zone they are different. The main requirement for the autumn planting is that 10 days remain before the onset of frost, during which time the elderberry will have time to take root.
Choosing the right place
Variety black Aurea prefers lit places, and also grows in the shade without visual changes in varietal characteristics. A self-fertile plant can grow alone, so pollinators are not taken into account when choosing a place. Soils are recommended: fertile, moist with a neutral content of acids and alkalis.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
For spring planting, annual seedlings with smooth light green bark are selected. You also need to pay attention to the development of the root system. For autumn, planting material of two years of age is suitable. The root system should be without dry fragments. Before placing in the ground, the cutting of the variety is placed in a growth stimulator solution for 10 hours.
Landing algorithm
Sequencing:
- Prepare a landing pit with a diameter of 50 * 50 cm, a depth of 0,5 m.
- The top soil, about 4 buckets, is mixed with compost, urea (60 g), superphosphate (200 g).
- One bucket of the mixture is poured onto the bottom of the pit, wood ash is added, elderberry roots are distributed, covered with the rest of the soil.
- Water abundantly from above.
The root circle is mulched with peat.
Elderberry Aftercare
After being placed in the ground, elderberry requires little maintenance:
- Watering is carried out in dry hot weather twice a week.
- Mulching with compost will be sufficient, top dressing is not needed.
- Pruning, taking into account the final result – a tree or a bush of various shapes.
- In the spring, weak dry branches are removed, the crown is cut in half from the existing length.
Bush formations are carried out every year. A garter for a variety is not needed, as well as a shelter for the winter. The variety is rarely damaged by rodents; the smell repels animals. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to decompose toxic preparations near the bush according to the instructions.
How elderberries reproduce
There are several ways to get Plumosa Aurea elderberry:
- In October, after collecting seeds, planting material is sown on a prepared bed in furrows 3 cm deep. They cover well, then in the spring the culture will sprout.
- By cuttings from the top of annual shoots. In mid-June, the material is placed in the ground for rooting.
- Layers.
Shoots from the mother bush are dug in and watered abundantly – by autumn they will take root.
The use of elderberry in landscape design
To design a site, black elderberry varieties are used as a single shrub or as part of a composition. Aurea is used in the form:
- color accents near blank walls;
- the central part of the composition;
- hedge;
- background in design;
- focal spots;
- undergrowth for fruit trees;
- wind protection;
The Aurea elderberry variety is placed near resting places – the smell of the plant repels insects from sanitary zones.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The Aurea elderberry variety is practically not affected by diseases and pests. With rare exceptions, aphids spread on the tops of young shoots. For prevention, elderberry is sprayed in early spring with Karbofos. In case of infection with powdery mildew, it is recommended to treat with a fungicide.
Conclusion
Due to its spectacular appearance, black elderberry Aurea occupies a leading position in the design of plots. Due to the frost resistance of the variety, it is possible to grow a plant throughout the territory of the Federation. The culture has found application not only because of the beautiful crown, but also the biological quality of the fruit.
