Elderberry(Sambucus racemosa), also called wild lilac or viburnum, is a close relative of the elderberry. Due to its small size, decorative appearance and high resistance, the coral lilac is used in gardens and green areas. Learn about the healing properties of the coral lilac, see how the cultivation and reproduction of coral lilac looks like, and learn about the most interesting varieties of coral lilac recommended for planting in gardens.
Without coral - Sambucus racemosa Photo.depositphotos.com
Without coral - appearance description
The coral elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) belongs to the musk family (Adoxaceae). This species is common in Europe and Asia. In Poland, it grows in ruderal areas and forms the undergrowth of forests, especially in mountainous regions and in the south of the country.
The coral lilac is a shrub that grows up to 2-5 m high. irregular shape, and raised shoots may hang over time. The feathery leaves appear simultaneously with the flowers and we can see them already in early spring. Small, cream or yellowishflowers of coral lilacgathered in panicles transform into decorative, intensely red, spherical berries.The fruits of the coral lilacripen in June and July. They are valuable food for birds. In their raw form, they are inedible for humans, but this problem disappears after subjecting them to heat treatment.
Without coral - properties and application
While raw fruit consumption may result in headaches, vomiting and diarrhea,after thermal treatment, elderberry fruit is a valuable resource . They can be used to make juices, syrups or infusions.
Elderberry fruits containsugars, carotenes, ascorbic acid, tannins, alkaloids, pectins and glycosides. Elderberry juice and syrup is used for colds, and the infusion has antipyretic, expectorant and diuretic properties.
Alsolilac flowers have medicinal uses . The infusion of dried inflorescences has a diaphoretic and diuretic effect. It is sometimes used externally as a rinse for inflammation of the throat and mouth.
The coral elderberry also has a decorative valueand is often found in naturalistic gardens in compositions with other species with contrasting foliage or as a loose hedge. It looks beautiful as a solitaire and in the company of species such as shrub, peru, clematis, iris and larkspur.Dwarf varieties of coral lilaccan be grown in containers and planted in rockeries.
Without coral - varieties
The most popular arevarieties of coral lilac with unusual and interesting foliage . Below we present the most interesting of them.
Lilac 'Plumosa aurea'- is a fast-growing, wide shrub with upright shoots, reaching from 200 to 400 cm in height. Its uniqueness is due to its beautifully colored, golden-yellow, delicately jagged leaves. The youngest leaves are reddish, copper-colored, turning golden with time. Leaves can be burned in direct sunlight. Fully resistant to frost, it regenerates well after pruning, also recommended because of its high strength and ease of cultivation.
Without coral 'Sutherland Gold'- this is a valuable variety with high durability. The shrub grows up to 300-500 cm in height, and its leaves resemble the leaves of the Japanese maple. They are openwork, deeply cut, and have a beautiful golden color. This frost-resistant variety will adapt to even the poorest soils and survive drought. Suitable for growing in containers.
Bez Coral 'Celosia aurea' Photo.depositphotos.com
Bez Coral 'Tenuifolia'- this variety was bred in France. Tenuifolia takes the form of a dwarf shrub with a cushion-like habit, reaching up to 100 cm in height. Heavily indented, decorative, green leaves are the main ornament of this variety.
Lilac 'Goldenlocks'- is a dwarf variety, growing up to 70-80 cm in height. It grows slowly. It has a fairly loose, semicircular shape and golden, strongly indented leaves. Decorative umbels of inflorescences appear in early May.
Coral 'Lemony Lace'- has openwork, heavily indented leaves, copper brown, with time turning yellow. The bush grows up to about 200 cm in height. It looks beautiful in combination with other species with contrasting, burgundy or dark green foliage and those that bloom blue, e.g. larkspur, lupine or lupine.
Without coral - cultivation
The elderberry does not have high requirements and is an easy-to-grow species Prefers light and semi-shaded, warm positions. The harsh sun can burn the delicate golden leaves of this plant. Coral lilac grows best on moist, fertile, humus-rich and permeable soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH reaction. It perfectly tolerates drought and is fully frost-resistant. This species belongs to the plant hardiness zone 4A.
The basiccare treatments in the cultivation of coral lilacinclude the spring forming cut and feeding with compound fertilizers twice a year (the first dose of fertilizer is given in March or April, and the second dose from June to mid-July).
Without coral - reproduction
There are 3 ways to reproduce the coral elderberry :
- by sowing seeds carried out in the spring after prior stratification (i.e. supercooling, which stimulates the seed to germinate). This method of reproduction works well in the case of the species, because ornamental varieties of lilac propagated from seeds may not repeat the characteristics of the mother plant.
- by herbaceous cuttings prepared in summer from new growths,
- by woody cuttings made in spring from woody annual shoots.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
