Black Lace elderberry- need backdrop or transplanting advice

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hollyd77 Toledo, OH Jul 10, 2010

Hello all! I have a beautiful Black Lace elderberry in the back corner of my yard, but there's nothing behind it except a chain link fence and my neighbors' yards, and I can barely even see it. I'd like to put something behind it so that it stands out more, but I only have about 4' of space between its center and the property line because I never planned for there to be anything but the elderberry in that corner. It's a few years old and the last time I tried to transplant it I nearly killed it because the root system is so insane. I'd like to avoid moving it again, so can anyone think of something tall and skinny to pop back there? I wanted to do a silvery variegated grass like Miscanthus Cosmopolitan but I'm afraid even that would be too crowded.

Alternatively, any suggestions for transplanting the elderberry? If I could bring it forward another foot or two without traumatizing it, that would give me the room I need for the Miscanthus idea to work . . . .

Thanks!
~H

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) Jul 10, 2010

Holly
Could you put something behind it that would act as a more solid 'wall' to show contrast? Some solid fencing a few feet wide and painted a color that would make the tree pop? (pink or silver or white). Hard to imagine without seeing your space but it would mostly be obscured by the shrub and yet give enough of a backdrop to let the shrub fine form/foliage show through.

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Mountainbeauty Clyde, NC Jul 11, 2010

I was thinking the same thing. Some solid "fencing" that is painted a soft color that is in contrast to your Elderberry.
Do you have a picture of your Elderberry? Would love to see it.

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hollyd77 Toledo, OH Jul 12, 2010

I wish I did have pictures but, alas, I don't have a working camera right now. :(

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll go to the hardware store next weekend and see if I can get any inspiration! In the meantime, I noticed that a little moonflower vine has volunteered to climb the chainlink fence nearby, so I'm training him toward the elderberry and maybe that will help for now.

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hollyd77 Toledo, OH Jul 13, 2010

Problem solved! I woke up this morning to find my neighbor has placed some huge barberry bushes along his side of the fence behind the elderberry. It looks striking against the red foliage! How's that for luck? :)

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Mountainbeauty Clyde, NC Jul 13, 2010

That is good luck! Hope to see a picture in the future? ;o)

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