‘Black Lace®’ Elderberry

Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace®' PP15,575 (syn. Sambucus nigra 'Eva')

‘Black Lace’ is a stunning, deciduous shrub renowned for its dramatic, finely cut, deep purple-black foliage, which gives it an appearance similar to a Japanese Maple. In late spring to early summer, large, flattened cymes of creamy pink, lemon-scented flowers emerge, providing a beautiful contrast against the dark leaves. These flowers can develop into edible blackish-red berries in the fall if a compatible pollinator (like ‘Black Beauty’ or ‘Instant Karma’ elderberry) is planted nearby, attracting birds and other wildlife. This tough and adaptable plant is a striking specimen for borders or hedges and is resistant to deer and drought once established.

Type

Shrub

Height

-8

Width

-8

Foliage Type

Deciduous

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Requirements

Average; best in well-drained, moist, organically rich soil, but tolerates a wide range of soils including dry soils once established and even wet areas

Foliage Color

Intense purple-black, finely dissected

Flower Color

Creamy pink, in large flat-topped clusters

Resists

Deer
Rabbits

Attracts

Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Pollinators

Design Use

Special Traits

Notes

Pruning: Blooms on old wood. Prune immediately after blooming to maintain size and shape. The plant can be cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring and grown like a perennial, though this may compromise flowering.

Maintenance: Tolerant of a wide range of soil pH (acid or alkaline) and moisture levels. May spread by root suckers which should be pruned if naturalizing is not desired.

Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring with a slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs.

Wildlife: Fruits are attractive to birds.

Other: All parts of the plant, except the flowers and ripe berries, contain cyanide-inducing glycosides and can be toxic to pets and humans if ingested. The berries can be harvested for jams, jellies, and wine, but are not as flavorful as the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).