Lemony Lace is a more lacy and less prone to burn.

Thank you, Tim! This is helpful.

Since I live in zone 3, hardiness is a big concern for me. Is there any difference in hardiness between the two please?

Thank you again!

I have a Lemony Lace, zone 5, but am not super thrilled with it so far (second summer). I actually wish I would have gone with the straight native Red or Black Elderberry. There is also a black lace, but that’s not the one I mean. The Red & Black both are larger though than the other cultivars, but they are also more hardy.

Kristin, can you tell us in what ways you are not happy with the Lemony Lace? Is it how vigorous it is? Its size? Or???

The Morden Golden Glow that I had before did just fine, but then it would have sun burn despite the fact that it is in an east-facing area. That's why I am curious about the Lemony Lace.... I would love to hear about your experience with the Lemony Lace please!

Thanks, Kristin! I think that you should give it a chance! Maybe it was just too young before??? Now, the Sambucus Black Lace did behave like a perennial for me before, but then I was in Zone 3b, and you are Zone 5.... so just give it a bit of time! :-) How big was it when you bought it? What size pot was it in?

It was probably about 15” H and 12” W. I believe it was 2 years only when I purchased it. I hope it will get better, it’s mainly the shape I hate and don’t want to keep pruning it to look “normal”. I wish I had a pic of it before I cut back the one branch, it looked so ridiculous! It was probably 4’+ long compared to the rest that are 18”-24”. It just kept growing that one branch, very odd.

It was in a 3 gallon pot.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to report back on the 4 Lemony Lace elderberry shrubs that I planted last year - 3 out of 4 have suddenly died!!! It looks like they had verticillium wilt - OUCH! Is this a common problem for Lemony Lace? I have had Black Lace for many years and had minor sudden die back only but never a total collapse and death of the shrub. I also did not have such a problem with the Morden Golden Glow elderberry before... thoughts and comments, anyone?