European elder. Shrub or small tree to 20’ tall with bark that becomes fissured, corky, and gray on trunks. Flowers are cream-colored and musk-scented. Shiny, purple-black fruit is edible and often used in jams and pies. Leaflets are broadly edged gold at first, later margined pale yellow to cream. This deciduous shrub develops a dense habit in full sun, but we prefer its appearance in part shade where the variegation fades to a pale creamy white and the branches develop a more langorous arching habit. Use in oversized containers or in the high shade of woodland gardens. Hardy to below 0F. Europe, North Africa, Southwestern Asia.
