Should I remove this Sunrise Surprise elderberry from my yard?

2 years ago

Hi everyone,

I hope that you can give me some advice here on my Sunrise Surprise elderberry!

I planted these two guys a few years ago and I absolutely loved them. However, one is an "overachiever" and has grown really well and over taken the space even (getting much larger than its advertised size! Ouch...) whereas the other one nearby has always been an underachiever and not been growing that well.

Anyway, this year, with the harsh summer that we had, together with some of the downpours, the "underachiever" suddenly just started to wilt. I am sure that it has verticillium wilt or something awful like that.... but then note that the other one is totally fine nearby! Sigh! Please take a look:

Anyway, at this point, should I just cut my losses and just remove the "underachiever" please? If so, it will be a big hassle because the trunk is now pretty thick! But I will do whatever it takes to re-do that area as this thing is now looking rather too sad there... this area gets a lot of sun and that position gets moisture too. You see how its neighbouring Invincibelle Lacecap hydrangea is doing well next to it? Oh well.... what do you think I should plant there instead, after I have moved the elderberry on the left?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Featured Answer

FrozeBudd_z3/4

last year

Looks good, though I'm eyeing that pine as well and must get one for myself! :)

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Comments (8)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
It does look very sad. All your shapes are rounded so I'd replace with a vertical accent.
ostrich thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
last year
The big one looks awesome
ostrich thanked L Clark (zone 4 WY)
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indianagardengirl
last year
Ostrich, my Black Lace did the same last year. I was going to take it out and replace this spring, but it leafed out and was beautiful! Then, about six weeks ago, one branch wilted. Overnight collapse. Then another, then another. Whole plant looks awful now. I am going to toss it soon - life’s too short! Haven’t decided what next, but I will be sure to find something.
ostrich thanked indianagardengirl
ostrich
Original Author
last year
Thank you, L Clark! That larger one does look beautiful and it is much larger than its expected size!!!

indianagardengirl, this is the thing about elderberry - they can just collapse just like that!!! I cannot stand it! LOL! Yet, they are so beautiful....! Sigh! I think that it is this verticillium wilt.... anyway, I have taken it out and moved the Invincibelle Lacecap hydrangea there from another bed.... it does looks nice there!!! So I don't regret taking it out...

Life is too short to mess around with these temperamental plants! SIGH!!!
ostrich
Original Author
last year
Here's what the bed looks like now:

This was done a couple of weeks ago, and I must say that the Invincibelle Lacecap survived the move in the middle of summer very well!!! It does look nice next to another Invincibelle Lacecap there! I am quite happy with this rearrangement :-) Thx!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
Much better balance. Looks good.
ostrich thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
ostrich
Original Author
last year
Thanks, floral! I am happy with the results too! I did not want to move the hydrange initially but somehow I did it, and now I am very happy :-) Thx!