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contains many species from tropical countries around the globe. This one is from eastern Africa, and while unable to tolerate frosts (hardy to USDA z. 10), it will stand cooler temperatures than many of them.

In its native habitat, it will become an open, evergreen shrub to ten feet (3 m) by six feet (1.8m). In a container, it can reach two to four feet (0.6 - 1.2 m). Flowers are born in terminal sprays from summer through fall, according to one source and throughout most of the year according to other sources, in sun to part shade. If branches become too long, they can be pruned back.

It is a member of the Verbenaceae or verbena family, although still sometimes found placed in Lamiaceae (Labiatae).

If you want to try overwintering it, it will need a resting period (withhold fertilizer and cut back on water) and minimum temperatures of 50º F(10º C).

Shrubs To Light Up The Dark

I'm acquiring a little collection of elderberries. Sambucus canadensis, the American elder is native to my woodlands and the clones of S. nigra that I've gotten seem to be doing well.

Being the variegated plant nut that I am, Sambucus nigra 'Pulverulenta', is a plant that is at the top of my list. This is a form of the common or European elder, rated hardy from USDA zones 4 or 5 to 9 (depending on reference). It will take sun at the northern end of its range, but I have read that it really needs partial shade in my hot, USDA zone 7 Maryland garden or the lovely leaves will scorch.

'Pulverulenta' was developed at Hadspen House, the gardens of the late Eric Smith, the extraordinary UK plantsman responsible for the lovely Brunnera 'Hadspen Cream and noted for breeding hosta.

This is an outstanding form whose new leaves are primarily white, while older foliage is green with random splashes of white. Spring's new clusters of foliage make the plant look like it's blooming. It actually does have flowers in early summer - the typical creamy white flat corymbs of the genus, which, in turn, become the blue-black berries much loved by birds.

While all elderberries appreciate moist soil, this one will take average or moist conditions and become a large shrub from five to ten feet tall by five to eight feet wide (1.5 - 3 m x 1.5 - 2.4m), depending on your climate.

Acanthopanax sieboldianus

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