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Sambucus nigra Anatole - Elder

Sambucus nigra Anatole
Elder, Black Elder, European Elder, Elderberry

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More information

Beautiful deciduous, bushy shrub, both upright and rounded, with vigorous shoots. Its leaves are larger than the species-type and display very attractive colours, ranging from chartreuse green to yellow. Lovely summer flowering with large, fluffy white umbels, followed by edible black berries. A beautifully ornamental variety that flowers and fruits less than the species.
Flower size
12 cm
Height at maturity
4 m
Spread at maturity
3 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -34°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil, Damp soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

Sambucus nigra 'Anatole' is a beautiful form of the black elderberry with large, fresh green to golden foliage. The young leaves that appear in spring are lime green and as they mature, the irregular mosaic of two colours, dark green and yellow, becomes more pronounced. In early summer, it is adorned with large, fluffy white umbels, followed by edible black berries. This cultivar grows vigorously and forms a large, upright, wide and rounded bush. It blooms and fruits less than the species.

Sambucus nigra 'Anatole' is a plant belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, just like honeysuckles. It is derived from Sambucus nigra, a wild species found in Europe, North Africa, and as far as Asia Minor. The black elderberry is an opportunistic and highly adaptable wild species, found in open woods, hedges, fallow land, coastal dunes, as well as near human settlements where it has coexisted for millennia. It is therefore an undemanding shrub that is easy to grow anywhere. The 'Anatole' form has an upright and rounded habit and reaches a height of 3 to 5 m with a width of 2 to 4 m, with fairly vigorous growth. Its foliage is particularly bright; its leaves are longer than those of the species, about 15 cm long. They are divided into many lemon-green leaflets in spring. In summer, the foliage alternates between dark green and light green. Flowering usually occurs in June (a little earlier or later depending on the climate), in the form of long-lasting false umbels, 10 to 20 cm wide. The small, fragrant white flowers, with 5 petals, are borne on reddish petioles. The edible and delicious fruits are black to purplish berries, with soft flesh, measuring 6 to 8 mm in diameter.

The 'Anatole' black elderberry is an excellent hedge shrub, to be protected from scorching sun that would damage its foliage. The light colour of the foliage makes the 'Anatole' elderberry perfect for colourful compositions or as a light background for smaller shrubs with dark green or purple foliage. You can also plant a row of elderberry varieties with different colours: from yellow to bicoloured and from dark green to dark burgundy. Like all elderberries, it is very hardy and easy to integrate into a spring or summer flowering shrub bed, such as lilacs, mock oranges, viburnums, or as a backdrop behind tall perennials (Gunnera, Ligularia, large ferns in moist soil) or along a pathway. You can also keep it in a large pot or container for many years.

In the kitchen: the flowers can be used to make fritters or syrup by macerating them in sugar. The flower buds can be used to enhance salads, and the berries can be consumed as juice, jellies or jams, or made into wine. They add a pleasant fragrance to apple cakes. Only the flowers and berries without their petioles are edible, the rest of the plant can be toxic.

In the garden:

Elderberry leaves are known to accelerate compost decomposition. Black elderberry leaf infusion is useful in organic gardening to fight against mildew and aphid attacks, or rodents: macerate 1 kg of leaves in 10 L of water for a few days and spray as needed. It can also be planted in an orchard, where it attracts insect-eating birds.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 4 m
Spread at maturity 3 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time May to June
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 12 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Fruit colour black

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Sambucus

Species

nigra

Cultivar

Anatole

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Other common names

Elder, Black Elder, European Elder, Elderberry

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference22194

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Planting and care

Easy to grow, the Anatole elderberry can be planted in spring or autumn, in any ordinary soil that is not too poor, deep enough, and not too dry, although it tolerates temporary periods of drought in deep soil once well established. It requires little maintenance. Plant it in a semi-shady location, as intense sunlight would scorch its beautiful foliage. It is not very demanding in terms of soil, tolerating clay, limestone, sand, and even degraded soils. The ideal planting mix is half compost/half garden soil. It is very hardy. To promote flowering, prune the old branches heavily and cut back the young branches by one-third in late winter.

 

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Back of border, Free-standing, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -34°C (USDA zone 4) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil, Ordinary soil.

Care

Pruning instructions To promote flowering, prune the old branches to rejuvenate them and cut back the young branches by a third in late winter.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time February to March
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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