‘Black Tower’ Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Black Tower' PP17,783 (syn. Sambucus nigra 'Eiffel 1')
‘Black Tower’ is a distinctive, upright-growing deciduous shrub celebrated for its tight, columnar habit and dramatic foliage color. The leaves emerge green in spring but quickly mature to a deep, lustrous purple-black, providing a strong vertical accent in the garden. In early summer, the dark foliage is topped with contrasting, large, flat cymes of showy pink, lemon-scented flowers. This cultivar offers architectural interest, is adaptable to various soil types, and remains resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a reliable and low-maintenance option for narrow spaces or container plantings.
Type
Shrub
Height
6
-8
ft
Width
3
-4
ft
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 wet areas
Foliage Color
Deep purple-black, sometimes green when first emerging
Flower Color
Large clusters of pink flowers
Resists
Attracts
Design Use
Special Traits
Notes
Pruning: Prune immediately after flowering to maintain shape and control size, as flowers bloom on old wood. It can also be cut back hard in late winter or early spring to be grown as a smaller perennial specimen.
Maintenance: Adaptable to a wide pH range and moisture levels; may produce suckers that need removal to maintain its columnar shape.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Wildlife: Produces black-red berries in the fall that attract birds, though they are less abundant than on standard varieties.
Other: The flowers and ripe berries are the only edible parts; other plant components are considered mildly toxic.
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