Sambucus nigra ‘Golden Tower’ – A Striking Vertical Elder with Golden Foliage
Sambucus nigra ‘Golden Tower’ is a bold, upright elder with an architectural presence and vivid, golden-green foliage that brings light and height to the garden. A unique cultivar of the native elder, it features a narrow, columnar growth habit that makes it ideal for smaller gardens or for adding vertical interest in mixed borders.
Unlike its broader cousins, ‘Golden Tower’ maintains a slender profile, with finely divided, bright yellow to lime-green leaves that hold their colour well throughout the season. In summer, it produces large, flat creamy-white flower clusters that are lightly scented and loved by pollinators, followed by glossy black elderberries in autumn if not pruned back.
Key Features:
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Columnar Habit – Naturally upright and narrow, growing like a tower with minimal spread – ideal for tight spaces or contemporary gardens.
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Bright Golden Foliage – Finely cut leaves emerge a strong yellow and mellow to chartreuse, creating contrast against darker greens and purples.
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Flowers & Berries – Umbels of creamy white flowers in early summer, followed by ornamental black berries in late summer to autumn.
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Pollinator Friendly – The summer flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
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Hardy & Easy to Grow – Very tolerant of different conditions and hardy throughout the UK.
Growing Information:
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Height & Spread: Approx. 2.5–3.5m tall × 0.8–1m wide.
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Position: Full sun for best foliage colour; will tolerate light shade.
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Soil: Any moist, well-drained soil – performs well in loam, clay or sandy soils.
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Maintenance:
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Hardiness: Fully hardy – withstands cold UK winters.
Where to Use:
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Perfect as a feature plant or vertical accent in modern borders.
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Excellent in small gardens where space is limited.
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Adds light and movement to mixed shrub beds.
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Great as a backdrop for darker plants, or in architectural planting schemes.
Sambucus ‘Golden Tower’ is a fantastic alternative to more traditional shrubs when you want height without width, and colour without fuss. It’s easy to care for, offers multi-seasonal interest, and fits beautifully into both classic and contemporary garden designs.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
