Lemony Lace® Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4'

Proven Winners®

Bright Yellow Lacy Foliage Stays Vibrant Through Summer Heat on this Compact Elderberry
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-7
Grows 3-5 ft Tall and Wide
Showy White Blooms in Late Spring
Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Bees and Hummingbirds

$25⁸⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container #3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant this elderberry in full sun to partial shade, ensuring it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct light daily. The bright yellow foliage color is most intense in full sun, while too much shade will cause the leaves to fade to a dull green.
Soil: This shrub thrives in rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH. If you are planting in heavy clay, mix in organic matter like compost or pine bark to improve drainage and prevent "wet feet."

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist during the first season to help the extensive root system establish. While established plants have some drought tolerance, inconsistent watering can lead to crispy leaf edges and drooping foliage during hot spells.

Pruning Tips

Prune in late winter while the plant is fully dormant to control size and shape. Since Lemony Lace® is grown primarily for its foliage, you can prune it back hard to stimulate vigorous new growth which displays the most vibrant yellow color.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as new green leaves begin to emerge. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers after mid-summer, as this pushes soft new growth that can be damaged by early winter frosts.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Compact/Dwarf, Native, Flowering, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Attracts pollinators, Hedge/Screen, Disease resistant, Fast-growing, Groundcover, Deer-resistant, Fragrant, Drought resistant
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	3-5 ft
Width	3-5 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Yellow, Green, Other
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4'
Species	racemosa
Cultivar	SMNSRD4
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR

If your landscape needs a little boost to take it over the top, this traffic-stopping plant is just the ticket. Compact and colorful, this small shrub makes a big impact in your yard.

Bright yellow, lacy leaves are deeply cut and appear delicate. The fine-textured leaves of the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Lemony Lace® Elderberry PP26,613 (Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4') are simply spectacular! They keep that bright color straight through summer's heat.

This plant has a free-form upright growth habit. It brings visual energy, especially as the branches sway to and fro in the slightest breeze.

Lemony Lace® Elderberry adds an intense pop of color and brings an informal, organic look to the landscape. New leaves open with a slight red tinge, which makes you look twice, or even three times!

Lemony Lace® blooms before the plants leaf out in spring. The flowers are fluffy creamy-white flowers that bring in the pollen and nectar-seeking pollinators and beneficial insects! Later, the flowers give way and become showy red berries in late summer to fall. These ornamental berries are like catnip for local songbirds!

The plant displays the most exquisite lemony leaf color in full sun. The new growth holds that nice yellow color, and ages to chartreuse and green inside the plant. It is a brilliant display that can't be ignored!

Planting and Application:

Use Lemony Lace® wherever you need an accent that stays compact and colorful! It will stop you in your tracks. Get ready to have people stop and ask about it! Lemony Lace® makes a gorgeous, no-fuss addition to any foundation, hedge, or border planting. You'll love the lower privacy or screening, vivid landscape backdrops, and bright color!

Combine it with burgundy plants, like Black Lace® Elderberry or a Tiny Wine® Ninebark, and you've got a traffic-stopping showpiece in your garden. You can also use the deep, mysterious dark purple of Black Beauty® Elderberry as a backdrop shrub instead. Mix with equally chartreuse Tiger Eyes® Sumac, or Darts Gold Ninebark! Next, add brilliant contrast and fall color by pairing it with the round, leathery leaves of the Blue Shadow Fothergilla shrub. Add evergreen Juniper groundcover to face the front of the planting bed.

Lemony Lace® Elderberry makes a fantastic focal point for you and your guests to look at as you sit on your porch, deck, or patio. Create a fabulous planting by placing a few in front of large evergreen trees.

Be sure to repeat the golden color in smaller plants like large-leaved, chartreuse Hostas or Emerald n Gold or Blondy® Euonymus wintercreeper. Then, punch up the planting bed with a few containers of bright annuals that you change out every year. Bright gold Golden Creeping Jenny would make a perfect coordinating 'Spiller' in these containers.

Have fun with this plant!

Lemony Lace® is a name that says it all! This wonderful shrub works as a specimen plant or accent for any landscape. Use a few in your sunny perennial border as an accent or use multiple plants as a bright backdrop for shorter plants.

Create a fantastic low screen or informal hedge in a sunny area. Repeat the use of this plant in sunny mixed borders and perennial gardens around your yard to tie each of the beds together as a glamorous, unified whole!

For a solid hedge, space them out 2-3 feet on center. For a looser, more relaxed look, increase the spacing to 3-4 feet. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

Be sure to invest in a good pair of binoculars to keep near your outdoor furniture. You'd be amazed how relaxing it is to do some bird watching in your own yard. And birds do love those berries!

Some Elderberries produce edible berries that can be used in jelly, but not this variety! Lemony Lace® berries are only ornamental for humans. But if you want fruit for your feathered friends, Lemony Lace® Elderberry will set fruit if planted near a Sambucus racemosa variety.

They will tolerate almost any soil! Lemony Lace® introduces brilliant yellow color in Rain Gardens, natural wetlands, and waterfront properties.

Gorgeous Chartreuse Foliage
New Growth is Edged in Red
White Flat-Topped Flower Clusters in Spring
Red Fall Berries Loved by Songbirds
Incredible in Cut Flower Arrangements
Useful Size For Containers, Hedges, Specimens & Showy Backdrops

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Lemony Lace® is a tough plant, too. It is very cold hardy and wind-resistant, and deer won't touch it. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, especially in the North. It does great in partial shade in warmer climates of USDA planting zones 4 to 7. This plant is reliable and easy. It is hardy in a wide range of temperatures, adapts to many different soils, and is able to come back from even severe pruning with ease.

Provide 3-4 inches of arborist Mulch to ensure that the shallow roots are kept cool and moist. Give it regular water during its first year, then water during drought and excess heat. Fertilize in the spring and mid-summer with an acid fertilizer, such as Dr. Earth's Acid Lovers Premium and Organic Fertilizer.

Elderberry bushes flower on last year's wood, so cut the plant back to the desired shape after the plant flowers, though this will remove any later fruit. To enjoy flowers and fruit for the birds, it is recommended you instead renewal prune when dormant, removing 3-year-old canes back to the ground. Cut back all 2-year canes by half and remove all weak and dead canes. Some homeowners cut all the branches down to the ground each year. This produces vivid, fresh new growth and keeps Lemony Lace® plants smaller.

Grows in Full Sun or Partial Shade
Highly Adaptable to Any Well-Drained Soil Type
Thrives In Moist to Dry Conditions Once Established
Flowers On Old Wood - Prune After Flowering
Deer Resistant, Easy to Grow & Few Pest or Disease Issues
Cold & Heat-Hardy, Tough, Rugged & Widely Adaptable

Use this soft, fluffy shrub with its sunny color to brighten up your landscape. This field-tested Proven Winners® ColorChoice® selection might steal the show with its bright yellow, finely dissected leaves. Go with it, you'll love this special variety. Order your Lemony Lace® Elderberry today at Nature Hills Nursery!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA planting zones is Lemony Lace® Elderberry hardy in?

Lemony Lace® Elderberry is hardy in USDA zones 3-7. This cold-tolerant shrub thrives in northern climates and handles winter temperatures well below freezing. Plant in full sun for the brightest lemony foliage color.

What is the mature size of Lemony Lace® Elderberry at full growth?

Lemony Lace® Elderberry reaches 3-5 feet tall and wide at maturity, making it perfect for compact spaces. This dwarf selection stays naturally smaller than traditional elderberries while delivering maximum color impact. Plant it where you need bright accent color without overwhelming nearby plants.

What are the sun and shade requirements for Lemony Lace® Elderberry in different climates?

Lemony Lace® Elderberry displays its most exquisite lemony leaf color in full sun. While it can tolerate some shade, the bright yellow foliage will be less vibrant and may fade to chartreuse or green. Plant in the sunniest spot available for maximum color impact.

How do I water Lemony Lace® Elderberry to keep soil consistently moist without waterlogging?

Water Lemony Lace® Elderberry deeply but infrequently, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. This shrub prefers consistent moisture but not soggy conditions. Apply 1-2 inches of water weekly, adjusting for rainfall and seasonal needs.

What soil pH does Lemony Lace® Elderberry need, and how do I acidify alkaline soil?

Lemony Lace® Elderberry thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) but tolerates a wide range. To lower alkaline soil pH, work in sulfur or peat moss before planting. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy specimens that establish quickly.

When and how is Lemony Lace® Elderberry shipped, especially for pre-orders by zone?

Lemony Lace® Elderberry ships as dormant bare-root plants in early spring or potted plants during the growing season. Pre-orders typically ship based on your hardiness zone's last frost date to ensure safe planting conditions. Check your specific zone's shipping schedule when ordering to plan your garden timing accordingly.

Can Lemony Lace® Elderberry be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii?

Lemony Lace® Elderberry cannot be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii due to agricultural restrictions. These states have strict quarantine laws that prohibit shipping live plants from the continental US. Check with local nurseries in your area for similar colorful shrub alternatives.

Is Lemony Lace® Elderberry susceptible to diseases like Verticillium Wilt or cankers?

Lemony Lace® Elderberry has good disease resistance and isn't commonly affected by Verticillium wilt or cankers. Like most elderberries, it's generally robust when planted in well-draining soil. Ensure proper spacing for air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent any potential fungal issues.

Why do branches on Lemony Lace® Elderberry break easily, and how can I prevent it?

Lemony Lace® Elderberry has naturally soft, flexible wood that can break under heavy snow loads or strong winds. The fine-textured foliage and free-form growth habit make branches more susceptible to damage. Prune in late winter to remove weak growth and provide wind protection in exposed locations.

Lemony Lace® Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4'