Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda' (PBR)
black elder (syn. Black Beauty)
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of Growth: average
- Flowering period: June
- Flowers: pale pink
- Other features: purple black autumn fruits are attractive to birds
- Hardiness: fully hardy
- Garden care: To achieve the best foliage effect cut back to ground level each year in early spring and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.
This fantastic new variety of elder has intense, black burgundy foliage and sweet, lemon scented, pale pink flowers in early summer, opening from dark red buds. Darker than other varieties it makes an excellent ornamental plant for a site in sun or partial shade. As an added bonus the purple black autumn fruits are highly attractive to songbirds.
Rhododendron 'Metallica'
rhododendron
Exquisite bi-coloured flowers
Fuchsia 'Riccartonii'
fuchsia
Delicate, scarlet and dark purple flowers
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Black Knight'
sweet scabious
Opulent colour for the border
Rosa Falstaff ('Ausverse') (PBR)
rose Falstaff (shrub)
Powerful old rose fragrance
February pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
The garden is at its most dormant right now, so it’s a good time to catch up on any pruning missed or forgotten since the autumn. If the weather isn’t favourable, you can leave it for a week or two,...
Read full articleJanuary pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
My gardening resolution this year is to keep on top of my pruning and that means getting out into the garden with my secateurs every month. The garden is at its most dormant right now, so it’s a good time...
Read full articleDecember pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
My gardening resolution this year is to keep on top of my pruning and that means getting out into the garden with my secateurs every month. The garden is at its most dormant right now, so it’s a good time...
Read full article