I am hoping someone can give me an opinion on a problem that has developed with my three elderberry shrubs over the last three years. I have two Sutherland Gold Elderberry shrubs, one being a large five year old, the other a stunted three year old plant, as well as one quite large, five year old Black Beauty elderberry. All three are showing signs of what I am quite sure is Verticillium wilt - judging by my very extensive internet search of the symptoms. The large Sutherland plant shows the disease most dramatically, having substantial parts of the plant wilting and then dying off rapidly. I loose about half the plant every year. I have tried to cut out the affected areas, the plant rebounds by growing lots of new, seemingly healthy branches, and then the whole cycle begins all over again. The Black Beauty plant seems to suffer somewhat less, still showing some die-off, mostly on the lower branches. The third, small Sutherland does not seem to be growing at all and is not looking well overall, but has not shown the dramatic dying-off problems of its larger relatives. I am wondering if I need to destroy the plants and if so, can I dig out the soil, replace it with new soil, and plant lilacs in the same location. Any advise would be much appreciated. Katharina
