- USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7
- Height 3-5 Feet Tall
- Spread 3-5 Feet Wide
The award winning Lemony Lace Elderberry will be a garden stand out as it lives up to its lemony lime name and green foliage. The leaves start out red yet their continued growth results in a magnificent yellow green with slightly red edges. In early spring, before leaves appear, large white flowers blossom which turn into red berries in the fall. The autumn berries attract and feed birds as the flowers entice beneficial insects.
The intricate leaves cover each individual stem providing a lacy layer that sways beautifully in summer breezes. Featuring such a delicate delicate look, it’s surprising that it is a very low maintenance and highly adaptable plant. A native of North America, the Lemony Lace Elderberry grows to 3 to 6 feet tall with a spread equaling the same width. When planting, space 2 to 3 feet apart for a tighter hedge. If you want a more flowing look, increase the spacing by an additional foot. This deciduous plant loses its leaves in winter but will be ready and waiting to make a full return in spring.
Lemony Lace® Elderberry Care
In order for the plant to produce berries, you will need to plant at least 2 of these shrubs within 60 feet of each other to cross-pollinate each other. Both shrubs will produce berries.
Pruning young plants will produce an abundance of lush foliage in spring. Drastically cutting back in winter is likely to eliminate future blooms and berries the following year as it is an “old wood“ bloomer, meaning it blossoms on already existing stems. For the second spring and beyond, cut back to approximately 12 inches off of the ground. Being a naturally large plant, it can be pruned to fit your needs and preferences.
Considered a shrub, It also makes a perfect accent, foundation, hedge or border plant. While it will adapt to different types of soil, it prefers a rich, moist, slightly acidic soil with regular moderate watering and adequate drainage. The Lemony Lace Elderberry grows best in full sun of cooler climates but welcomes a touch of partial shade when located in areas of extreme heat. Being a sun lover works beautifully as the sun shines on it’s already bright leaves giving an appearance of light penetrating from the plant.
Lemony Lace® Elderberry Spacing
This beauty is extremely deer resistant while being a welcome treat to birds in the fall, giving viewers a beautiful show of all aspects of nature. Makes a great focal point with birdwatching an additional plus. Elderberries as we commonly know them are great in jams and as health boosters, but this is not the one. The Lemony Lace Elderberry is strictly for looks and birds only. You’ll receive many compliments and double takes with this magnificent pop of color in you landscape or garden.
Lemony Lace® Elderberry Plant Facts
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-7 |
Flower Color(s): White Flowers |
Bloom Period: Early Spring |
Foliage Color(s): Chartreuse |
Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun |
Height: 3-5 Feet |
Spread: 3-5 Feet |
Spacing: 3 Feet Center on Center |
Habit: Mounded |
Blooms On: Old Wood |
Watering: Average |
Shrub Type: Deciduous |
Scientific Name: Lemony Lace® Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4' USPP 26,613 |
Common Name: Lemony Lace Elderberry |
- SKU:
- SAMLL
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.