Sambucus nigra. “Black Lace” Elderberry

July 29th, 2007

Sambucus nigra. “Black Lace” is a hot new elderberry cultivar that was available in very limited release in 2006. I first saw it in Wayside Garden’s fall catalogue last fall. When I went to order one it was already sold out.

I finally got on their waiting list late this Spring when they started offering them for sale again. But even then, I imagine I’d get a barely rooted cutting in a 3.5 inch pot or something. So imagine my joy when I went to Lowes today and saw 2 huge ones (the only ones they had, I bought them both). One was 4 feet tall, the other 3.5 feet, in large 2 gallon pots. I paid $19.95 each for them, which is a pretty good price considering the size.

So… whats all the fuss about? Well… this plant is just a great plant. It has lace like leaves, just like laceleaf Japanese maples. However, this is hardier a good one or two zones further North than such Japanese maples. Also… it gets great pink flowers on it in summer, big clusters, which really offset the black foliage. Oh yes… black foliage. Did I mention it is a true striking black? Finally there are berries, edible by humans and loved by birds (elderberry jams and wines are popular in certain locales). Oh, its very fast growing, takes pruning well, and grows in full sun or part shade. Eventually it should reach a mound 6′ x 6′ or more. I hear it can be trained into a tree form with a single standard trunk as well.

So ya, a true black leaved shrub is one thing… but this has beautiful lace leaves, berries, flowers, the whole deal. If you see one I suggest snatching it up quick, they are hard to find.

Consequently there is a related variety called Sutherland’s Gold which is bright yellow and would pair well with Black Lace for some good contrast.

Posted in: Gardening, Plant Profiles »

16 Responses to “Sambucus nigra. “Black Lace” Elderberry”

Amanda Says:
August 18th, 2007 at 6:57 am
I was also excited about finding this plant- especially since Japanese Maples don’t grow very well in Colorado Springs, CO.

But recently, I’ve been disappointed to see this black lace elderberry turn green over the last month or so. At first, it was just the new growth that was green, now the entire plant is green!
Do you have any idea what might be causing this? I planted it in full sun (southern exposure)and I keep the ground moist, but not soggy.

Any help you could give me would be much appreciated!

Thanks
jeannie Says:
September 7th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Amanda – I just searched this site for the first time looking for info on sambucus black lace. Until I found your comment I was convinced the label on the plant pot had erroneously been stuck on. I bought mine at Lowes last week in a 6 in plastic pot for $1.00. Like yours – it too is green. It is about 5 in. high with 6 small branches. If you have had anyone to answer you on the green question – please let me know.
thank you — jeannie
Carmie Says:
September 27th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Could it be because your plant is so young? I just bought one in a 3 gal pot. It is quite black. I hope it is not going to change. Although, the lacy foliage is probably beautiful in green too.

I have heard that it can be grown as a small tree, with a single standard. But Ive also heard that they die down in northern zones, which would certainly make the single standard tree impossible.

Good luck to both of you. Maybe someone will have an answer. Carmie
Virginia Gould Says:
April 21st, 2008 at 5:43 am
Dear Backyard: What would make the leaves of a Sambucus nigra. â€œBlack Laceâ€ Elderberry turn green?
Virginia Gould Says:
April 21st, 2008 at 5:49 am
Hey, to continue…

One planted in full suna last fall has balck leaves.
The other left inside has green leaves. Is this simply a sun issue – will green turn black once in sun or has a errant root stock taken off?

cheers, Virginia
Administrator Says:
April 21st, 2008 at 6:39 am
yes, sun exposure can cause most plants with oddly colored leaves to green out. Sometimes too little sun will do it, sometimes too much sun, depending on the species.

It is also possible though that one of your plants had a mutation that the grower didn’t notice which caused it to revert to plain green.
Stephen Says:
June 1st, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Has anyone had a problem with the plant becoming droopy? Especially on sunny days?
Kathleen Says:
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Last year I planted a Black Lace, it held it’s color but grew very little. I thought I had lost it over the winter, but it came back this spring but is growing very slowly. It is planted in a part shade/shady spot. Do you think it just isn’t getting enough sun? Should I try moving it? Zone 4/5
Administrator Says:
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I would try it in sun, though my shadier ones are growing fine too, the ones in the sun are growing best.
Terrie Kaufman Says:
October 28th, 2008 at 8:13 am
I have had 2 Black Lace and love them. They are indeed black and they like water. In one year mine has grown over 12 feet tall and I woke up this morning thinking I would like to try something different with it. It is in front of my greenhouse window and of course letting little light through. I am going to try something this morning and not sure it will work. I am going to cut the middle out of the plant, leaving the 12 foot sides and then put something like a small table over the center with a pot on it. Have no idea this will, or will not work.

LOVE THIS PLANT, IT’S GORGEOUS.
Debbie Says:
February 15th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I have 2 Black Lace and just planted them last spring. After reading all the information on them I think I should let them grow tall, which means I need to move them. It is Feb. in zone 7, would this be a good time to transplant them, and would I sacrifice the blooms if I move them?
Misti Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I have a black lace. Going in to its 2nd spring. zone 6 I have realized after more reading up on the plantâ€¦Its in the wrong spot. (I love it so much that I want it to grow giant. It loves the mostly dry southern very small spot by my pool. I need to move it and I am wondering can it take wet spring kind of soggy for a few weeks?? It is the perfect southern facing only lower in the same area. Will it take the water?
Babs Says:
April 24th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I bought some of these plants to start an informal hedge. The nursery tag said the deer wouldn’t like them. Wrong! They mowed through the shrubs. Most of them had doubled in size (to about 4′) in the months before Mama and her twins found them. So this year I have them covered. Hopefully they keep growing fast, so they can get large enough in a couple years to withstand the grazers without protection. I have to finish the row this year, but not sure how much I want to fight the deer over these gorgeous plants.
Bob Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I have this plant growing in Zone 8 and in full sun and it is staying black on all sides with the pinkish flowers now coming out all over. It has already grown another trunk branch of over 2 feet just during this spring. It does not seem to like part shade very much judging from a neighbors specimen.
Mark Says:
July 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
They love full sun but moist soil, New growth is green turning black.

If an older shoot is totally green snip it off otherwise the green will take over.
Betty Trowbridge-Hagan Says:
August 25th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Just snagged one on an end-of-season sale. It’s going to go in a part sun, part shade spot that tends to be dry (we’re in sand). I’ll amend the planting hole and water it well. Then I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope it does well. Love the look.