Black Elder (syn. Black Lace)

Sambucus nigra Eva

• 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: almost black, dissected leaves and blackish red berries in autumn
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This recent introduction has almost black, dissected foliage and from May to June pale pink blooms emerge from beautiful creamy-pink buds. It makes an excellent shrub for all styles of gardens and has the added bonus of having blackish-red berries in autumn which are attractive to birds.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Goes well with: Salix alba var vitellina, Trollius europaeus, Primula florindae, Carex elata 'Aurea', Juncus effusus f. 'Spiralis', Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans