black lace elderberry (sambucus) problem. - Ask Extension
We planted three black lace elderberry (sambucus) plants in April 2019. Two of them look great. One does not look happy. The branches are bare, except...
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black lace elderberry (sambucus) problem. #777505
Asked November 09, 2021, 6:05 PM EST
We planted three black lace elderberry (sambucus) plants in April 2019. Two of them look great. One does not look happy. The branches are bare, except for a few sad looking leaves at the tips. See photo.
From what I’ve read online, I should have been pruning these plants in the spring. I didn’t do that. Do you think this one can survive?
Any advice is appreciated.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
We cannot diagnosis what is going on from the photos. In general, the plant does not have a lot of serious problems but can be susceptible to borers, verticillium wilt, leaf spots, etc.
We recommend that you let the plant put out new growth in the spring, monitor for symptoms, and prune out any dead wood. Send us photos at that point so we can see what you are dealing with. Here is our page on growing elderberry https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-gooseberries-currants-elderberries
Marian
It’s spring now. One of the three elderberry plants does not have new growth. Although if I break a branch it seems to be “alive.” The other two plants have started new growth. See photo. Thank you.
You can wait several more weeks to see if the bare Elderberry shrub produces new growth. Suckers (growth out of the roots or crown (base)) of the plant can emerge later than foliage would on living branches, so give it well into late spring before deeming it a lost cause if the branches themselves remain bare. Even though two of the plants starting to break bud now, it's still a bit early yet to expect Elderberry to be leafing-out. Fortunately, Elderberry tends to sucker easily if its roots are healthy. In that case, just trim off all leafless wood later this spring once it's obvious which stems are staying bare.
If this individual completely died for some reason, it could have had root damage from getting too wet or too dry at some point while it was establishing; it's hard to determine what the exact cause was this long after symptoms began. You can replace it with another Black Lace Elderberry if you think the location provides the ideal growing conditions for it - full sun (or part shade) and moist but well-drained soil.
Miri
If this individual completely died for some reason, it could have had root damage from getting too wet or too dry at some point while it was establishing; it's hard to determine what the exact cause was this long after symptoms began. You can replace it with another Black Lace Elderberry if you think the location provides the ideal growing conditions for it - full sun (or part shade) and moist but well-drained soil.
Miri
Thanks Miri. I will keep you posted.
Bashi
You're welcome.