Sambucus nigra Obelisk - Elder

Sambucus nigra 'Obelisk' is the most vigorous and floriferous of the columnar Black Elderberries. Unlike other fastigiate varieties, this bush has abundant, well-formed, elegant, and perfectly healthy foliage. Its flowering in large frothy white umbels is particularly abundant in early summer. Hardy and easy to grow in ordinary soil, in full sun or partial shade and compact, this shrub is suitable for all gardens, even small ones.

Sambucus nigra 'Obelisk' was discovered in Poland. This variety was awarded at the plant novelties competition of the "Green is Life" exhibition in 2013. It is a plant of the caprifoliaceae, adoxaceae, or viburnaceae family, depending on the classifications. 'Obelisk' is derived from Sambucus nigra, a wild species widespread in Europe, North Africa, and as far as Asia Minor.

The 'Obelisk' elderberry is a deciduous shrub with a slender, narrow, columnar habit, reaching 3-4 m in height and 1 m in spread. Its rapid growth allows it to reach maturity around the age of seven. Its branches are straight and upright, its foliage is splendid; its leaves are composed of 5 to 7 toothed, bright green leaflets. Flowering usually occurs in June (or a little earlier depending on the climate), in the form of numerous large 10 to 15 cm wide compound umbels, well arranged on the vegetation. The small, slightly fragrant, 5-petaled white flowers are borne on reddish petioles. This flowering, slightly fragrant, attracts numerous pollinators. The fruits are borne in clusters of shiny, 6 to 8 mm berries, initially red then blackish-purple, ripening between July and August. Fruit production will be more abundant if another elderberry is present in the garden. The light green, then grey to brown, bark is cracked, fissured, and has numerous lenticels. It becomes spongy with age.

The 'Obelisk' elderberry is distinguished by the elegance of its columnar habit. Like all elderberries, it is hardy and easy to grow in ordinary, not-too-dry soil, without any specific soil requirements. Plant it, for example, in a shrub border, preferably in the foreground, or near an entrance, a window, or along a path. It can be associated with many rustic or colourful shrubs, with decorative flowers or foliage. For example, Hydrangea paniculata 'Framboisine' (Panicled Hydrangea) with its large clusters of pink flowers brings a touch of softness to the foliage of the black elderberry, Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' (Snowball Viburnum) with its white flower balls followed by red berries, Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' (Variegated Redtwig Dogwood) with its variegated leaves and magnificent red winter stems. The scene created will be interesting throughout the year.

In the kitchen: the flowers can be prepared in fritters or syrup by macerating them in sugar. The buds in vinegar are used to enhance salads, and the berries are consumed as juice, jellies or jams, or in wine. They pleasantly flavour apple cakes. Only the flowers and berries without their petioles are edible, the rest of the plant can be toxic.

In the garden: elderberry leaves are known to accelerate compost decomposition. Black elderberry leaf infusion is useful in organic gardening to fight against mildew and aphid or rodent attacks: macerate 1 kg of leaves for a few days in 10 L of water, and spray as needed. It can also be planted in an orchard, where it attracts insect-predatory birds.