It sure has been a consistently very WARM spring! Now, even if having died right back, it should by now be throwing strong new shoots from the base. I'd be inclined to consider it a loss and an opportunity to plant something else in that location, frustrating though I know!

Thanks, FrozeBudd! That's what I figured...! Sigh.... I really hate how seemingly healthy plants would just drop dead just like that here in Alberta! So crazy.... this year's crazy spring weather certainly did not help. Anyway, I will get rid of it then... thanks!

BTW, FrozeBudd, I did an impulse buy of this "Pop Star" hydrangea yesterday!!! Maybe I should just plant it there instead :-) Thx

Oh my! I just dug up the massive root system of the sambucus - I am so glad that I listened to FrozeBudd! While the root system did not look dead, there was NO GROWTH at all coming from the root system! So it is now GONE!

I am just wondering though, is it safe to plant another shrub there right away (e.g. my Pop Star hyedrangea!) or is it a concern that there may be something wrong in the soil with a dying sambucus??? I have not planted the hydrangea yet pending your advice.... Thank you!

Are you concerned of the soil being good and fertile, or the possibility of remaining sambucus roots having any bit of inhibiting factor to other plants? If the sambucus had thrived there, then I imagine the soil is plenty good and otherwise all should be fine for replanting whatever you desire. This new hydrangea, are you intending upon giving some form of winter protection?

How did all your hydrangeas manage the winter and how about the golden sambucus?

FrozeBudd, I am concerned about the possibility of the remaining sambucus roots having an effect to any new plant there - is this just an unnecessary concern? The soil is pretty rich there so it should be good for the Pop Star hydrangea.

This area is sheltered and also between the foundation and the deck. So I think that it may do OK there with some additional mulch, perhaps?

My paniculatas all did fine this past winter! The QF and Little QF all came through without any damage, and the QF is already full of buds!! I just love these guys!!! Since the Little QF were only just planted last season, so they are still small but thriving too!

The Strawberry Sundae's came through very well. But then the Little Hottie's are very small indeed.... let's see how they will do!

As for the Bobo's.... oh my! They were moved from one bed to a less conspicuous space last year, right? I am so glad that I did as they are just still very small and they leafed out again very late!!! I just am still not a big fan of this Bobo yet!

Oh, and the Invincibelle Lacecaps both came through just fine and are now with buds too!!! :-)

BTW, FrozeBudd, did you see this Torch Hydrangea? It is supposed to be a very, very early blooming paniculata - I wonder how that compares to QF please? To me, QF is my absolute ROCK STAR! :-)

FrozeBudd, I forgot to tell you about my golden sambucus - these guys have gone CRAZY! They are huge and beautiful this year!!! Ok, the Lemony Lace both died and then I replaced them with these ones ("Welsh Gold" or "Sunrise Surprise" in North America) and they have done amazingly well! I love these guys!!! :-)

Did a bit of reading and could not come up with a conclusive yes or no on the sambucus root matter, though most everywhere says the roots are of no toxicity, though just to be sure I'd remove all I can.

I don't think there's a much finer paniculata for the prairies than 'Little Quick Fire'. Though, after doing well for many years, mine were damaged by some of our crazy extremes, but I have a few branches layering to replace these older bushes. The arborescens types are a joy, will be my first year with 'Incrediball Blush' and certainly looking forward to next year when established. Am interested how 'Little Hottie' performs for you, I'm kinda leery after how poorly 'Bobo' has done, it's just not good for lower zones!

'Torch' looks like another beautiful introduction, how does one keep up with them all?

The 'Sunrise Surprise' will have to attempt to track down this summer! :)