Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' – Black Elder | Architectural Deciduous Shrub
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' – Black Elder | Architectural Deciduous Shrub
Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ – Black Elder
Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ is one of the most dramatic and architectural of all deciduous shrubs — a plant that earns its place in the border through every season. Its deeply cut, finely divided foliage is a rich, near-black purple — creating a striking contrast with almost any neighbouring plant — while in early summer it produces large, flat-topped flowerheads of soft pink blossom with a delicate elderflower fragrance. In autumn, clusters of small dark berries follow, attracting birds and adding further seasonal interest. Bold, beautiful, and surprisingly easy to grow.
Why Choose ‘Black Lace’
- Deeply cut, near-black purple foliage — one of the most dramatic dark-leaved shrubs available
- Large, flat-topped pink flowerheads in June with a classic elderflower fragrance
- Dark berries in autumn — attractive to birds and wildlife
- RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) — a proven, reliable performer
- Fast-growing and vigorous — makes an immediate impact in the border
- Responds well to hard pruning — cut back hard for the largest, most dramatic leaves
Growing Guide
- Position: Full sun to partial shade; darkest foliage colour in full sun
- Soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates most soil types including heavy clay
- Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H6)
- Ultimate height: 2–3m; easily managed with annual pruning
- Pruning: Cut back hard in early spring for the largest leaves and most intense colour; or prune lightly to retain flowering
Planting & Care Tips
- Plant in full sun for the deepest, most intense foliage colour
- Hard pruning in spring produces larger, more dramatic leaves but sacrifices flowers
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and support establishment
- Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring to encourage vigorous new growth
Delivery
Supplied in a 2 litre pot. Grown and dispatched from Stoneybrook Nursery. All plants are carefully packaged to arrive in excellent condition, ready to plant.
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Planting Instructions
Plant in full sun for the deepest, most intense foliage colour, though it also tolerates partial shade. Grows in moist, well-drained soil and tolerates most soil types including heavy clay.
Mulch around the base to retain moisture and support establishment, and feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring to encourage vigorous new growth.
Cut back hard in early spring for the largest leaves and most intense colour, or prune lightly instead to retain more flowers.
Size & Specification
Supplied in a 2 litre pot. Ultimate height of 2-3m, easily managed with annual pruning. Fast-growing and vigorous, fully hardy (RHS H6).
Delivery & Dispatch
Supplied in a 2 litre pot, grown and dispatched from Stoneybrook Nursery. Carefully packaged to arrive in excellent condition, ready to plant.
Wildlife & Ecological Notes
The flat-topped pink flowerheads in June are attractive to pollinators, and the dark berries that follow in autumn are a valuable food source for garden birds.