Content
Black elderberry Aurea (Sambucus nigra, Solitaire) is a shrub plant used in landscape design: squares, parks, private territories. It is one of the twenty representatives of the species, the berries of which do not contain hydrocyanic acid and can be eaten.
Breeding history of the variety
Black elderberry Aurea is an ornamental spreading tree, the historical homeland of which is North America. This is an independent non-selective variety, it is used in landscape design in the territory of the Russian 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
Elderberry grows in the temperate and subtropical zone in the form of a shrub or small spreading tree. The culture has more than 15 species common on the territory of Russia, which include decorative forms of black-fruited 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 canopy and requires constant pruning to maintain its shape.
- The leaves of the plant are odd-pinnate, opposite, painted yellow, by autumn they become dark green. They are classified as difficult, have 6 sheets. In an elongated oval shape, reaching up to 25 cm. The edges are uneven with many well-defined teeth.
- Small light beige flowers, collected in paniculate inflorescences, are formed in the upper part of young shoots.
- Deep purple berries are closer to black color, small up to 6 mm in diameter. The drupe is edible only during biological ripeness.
Black elderberry is grown throughout the middle zone, southern regions, and the North Caucasus.
A variety of black-fruited plume (feathery structure) is the Canadian elderberry Aurea (S. canadensis). Outwardly similar to black, but there are distinctive features:
- varies in height, Canadian is about 1 meter higher;
- inflorescences are large, collected in flat-shaped umbellate panicles with a diameter of 20 cm;
- flowers are white, large;
- the crown is less dense;
- leaves are compound, consist of 7 leaves 30 cm long;
- fruits of purple color measuring 10 mm.
The culture has a specific pungent odor. It grows quickly, bears fruit at the age of 2 years. Compared to black Aurea, the Canadian elderberry variety is less resistant to low temperatures.
The red-fruited representative of the species of elderberry plumosa Aurea (Sambucus racemosa, Sambucus racemosa Plumosa Aurea) is grown only for the purpose of design of the territory:
- undersized shrub (2–2.5 m) with a wide, oval, dense crown;
- 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.
Elderberry red Aurea has a strong unpleasant odor that scares away rodents and insects, therefore 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. It has no decorative varieties. Grows quickly, constant formation of a bush is necessary, demanding for watering. In contrast to the black-fruited representatives of the elderberry species, the red plumose Aurea is not cultivated on a commercial scale, since the fruits are unsuitable for human consumption.
It is found throughout Russia, except for regions with severe winters.
Variety characteristic
The reason for the popularity of growing varieties of black elderberry was the unpretentiousness of the plant in care, the exotic appearance, and the gastronomic value of the fruit.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Moisture-loving plant, needs periodic watering, average drought resistance. 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 the black elderberry Aurea 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 ° С.
Productivity and fruiting
The photo shows the elderberry plumose Aurea. It is a self-fertile crop, the peak yield occurs in the fifth year after planting. The number of berries from a bush is lower, more from a tree. On average, one culture 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-sour, with a bright specific aroma. With prolonged drought, the berries lose their elasticity and are baked. 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 the fruit
After harvest, the black elderberry Aurea is immediately processed, the culture is not stored. On the second day, the berry flows - fermentation begins. It is transported over short distances in refrigerated trucks at a temperature of +3 ° C. It is used in the food industry as a natural colorant. Suitable for making wine, juice. It is used in medicine. Compotes and jams are prepared at home.
Disease and pest resistance
The elderberry of the black variety Aurea is a representative of the wild, has 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, recovers after freezing;
- has been growing in one place for many years.
Cons of the variety:
- medium heat resistance,
- the formation of a bush is necessary,
- has a specific smell,
- berries do not lie and are poorly transported.
Planting and caring for the black elderberry Aurea
No matter how unpretentious the black elderberry Aurea is, cultivation and care is carried out in compliance with the rules of agricultural technology. This requires following the recommendations.
Recommended timing
The variety can be planted in the spring at the end of April, provided that the ground has warmed up. In the autumn at the beginning of November. Terms are conditional - they are different in each climatic zone. The main requirement for an autumn planting is that there are 10 days left before the onset of frost, during which time the elder will have time to take root.
Choosing the right place
Variety black Aurea prefers lighted areas, and also grows in the shade without visual changes in varietal characteristics. A self-fertile plant can grow alone, therefore, when choosing a site, pollinators are not taken into account. Recommended soils: fertile, moist with neutral acid and alkali content.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
For spring planting, one-year-old seedlings with a 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 free of dry fragments. Before placing in the ground, the stalk of the variety is placed in a solution of a growth stimulator for 10 hours.
Landing algorithm
Sequencing:
- A landing pit is prepared 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, the elderberry roots are distributed, covered with the rest of the soil.
- Water abundantly on top.
The root circle is mulched with peat.
Elderberry follow-up care
After placing in the ground, elderberry requires little maintenance:
- Watering is carried out in dry hot weather twice a week.
- Mulching with compost will be enough, no additional feeding is needed.
- Pruning taking into account the end result - a tree or bush of all kinds.
- In the spring, weak dry branches are removed, the crown is cut in half from the existing length.
Bush formation is carried out every year. A garter for the variety is not needed, as well as a shelter for the winter. Rodents rarely damage the variety, animals are frightened off by the smell. For prophylaxis, it is recommended to decompose toxic drugs near the bush according to the instructions.
How elderberry reproduces
There are several ways to obtain the elder plumosa Aurea:
- In October, after collecting the seeds, the 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 grafting from the top of the annual shoots. In mid-June, the material is placed in the ground for rooting.
- Layers.
Shoots from the mother bush are added dropwise and watered abundantly - by autumn they will take root.
The use of elderberry in landscape design
To decorate the site, the black elderberry variety is used as a single shrub or as part of a composition. Aurea is used as:
- color accents near blank walls;
- the central part of the composition;
- hedge;
- background in design;
- focal spots;
- undergrowth for fruit trees;
- wind protection;
The elderberry variety Aurea is placed near resting places - the smell of the plant scares away insects from the sanitary zones.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The elderberry variety Aurea is practically not affected by diseases and pests. With rare exceptions, the spread of aphids is observed on the tops of young shoots. For prophylaxis, elderberry is sprayed with Karbofos in early spring. In case of infection with powdery mildew, it is recommended to treat with a fungicide.
Conclusion
Black elderberry Aurea, due to its spectacular appearance, occupies a leading position in the design of sites. Due to the frost resistance of the variety, the plant can be grown throughout the entire territory of the Russian Federation. The culture has found application not only because of the beautiful crown, but also the biological quality of the fruit.
