The gold leaf elder bush , or Sambucus canadensis aurea , is a United States indigen that is commonly refer to as the American senior or golden elder . This small bush progress to fledged heights up to 13 feet with a counterpane up to 10 feet . This deciduous shrub produces small , lily-livered foliage and blooms with showy , white flower clusters . It is an adaptable tree that thrives in most well - drained dirt and is an appropriate selection for landscape gardening , patios and screen out hedging . Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture industrial plant hardiness geographical zone 4 through 11 , the golden elder is mostly resistant to disease but is susceptible to several fungal diseases .
Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt is a destructive disease of the golden elder . This soil - borne fungal disease can live for years in the land before it infects this bush , according to Purdue University Cooperative Extension . inscribe through the senior ’s root system , the disease attacks the shrub ’s vascular organization and prevents the system from successfully pop off nutrients and water throughout the tree . Infected golden senior may wilt , leaf may embrown and the tree may dieback and lose its leaves . The xylem of the tree ( interior Mrs. Henry Wood ) will expose a streaked discolouration . There is no therapeutic or treatment for verticillium wilt . Newly found and drouth - stressed golden elder are susceptible to this disease . Severely infected trees will buckle under to the disease , and should be removed and destroyed .
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a disease ravish by fungous spores . These fungal spores develop on drained and dying rubble that lies around the planting area of the golden elderberry bush . Spores , transported by wind and rain , taint the foliation of the shrub . prosperous elderberry bush with infected leaves develop tiny bit . As these small spots accumulate , the spots start to come out as a powdery white covering of mould that propagate across the open of the foliage . Although mildew can be wiped from the foliage , the foliation spots become deadened field that shoot down the leave . The contagion also make leaf distortion , emergence stunt and premature defoliation . The potential of powdery mildew is greatly reduced by keep the golden elder ’s planting sphere innocent of rubble and defoliation . The disease can be treated with fungicidal sprays design for powdery mold infections .
Leaf Spot
Leaf office is a fungal disease that dwell dormant on fallen debris throughout the wintertime calendar month . Spores are released during the windy and rainy month . Fungal spores country on the leaf surfaces of the golden elder and germinate , when water settles on the leave of absence developing into midget spots , which enlarge and multiply as the infection progresses . septic foliage should be pruned from the tree and all debris around the tree should be removed to forestall further infection , accord to University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management . foliage spot can be treat and preclude with fungicidal treatment .
