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Key characteristics

Family: Adoxaceae
Height: 10 to 12 feet
Width: 8 to 10 feet
Flower color: Creamy white in flat clusters
Foliage color: Green with creamy white variegation
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune to shape in late winter
Growing zone: USDA Zones 5 to 8
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, and birds (attracted to the berries)

Shrubs

Sambucus nigra 'Variegata'

Variegated Elderberry

Sambucus nigra 'Variegata', commonly known as the variegated elderberry, is a deciduous shrub admired for its intricate, variegated foliage. The finely divided leaves are a rich green, edged with creamy white margins, creating a bright and textured appearance throughout the growing season. In late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators and add a soft, lacy element to the plant's overall look.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Cottage Gardens
Specimen Plants

Companion plants

Lupine · Firethorn · Red valerian · Blue oat grass · Rock rose · Snow-in-summer

Design tip

Brighten the back of a deep shrub border with ‘Variegata,’ where its cream-edged foliage can lift an area that might otherwise appear heavy or overly green. Its generous size creates a leafy backdrop while the fine variegation adds detail without relying on flowers for color.