yellow leaves on elderflower

dave56armstrong

I am involved in some community gardening an area which has been neglected for decades, a very exposed dry area. There are numerous elder shrubs (trees?) which grow vigorously but most have pale yellow leaves and bear few flowers. There are other specimens in the area which are a much richer green.    I would prefer them taken out but they are well established and this would be difficult. Any suggestions?

Dovefromabove

There is a golden leaved form ... perhaps these have some of those genes?

Also, it looks to me as if those shrubs have been pruned fairly regularly  to maintain a bushy habit and good foliage ... if they're being cut back that will explain the lack of flowers.