Sambucus nigra Black Beauty® (Elderberry)
Elderberry 'Gerda', Elder 'Gerda', European Elder 'Gerda', Black Elder 'Gerda', Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla Black Beauty®, Sambucus Black Beauty®, Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda', Sambucus nigra 'Gerda' PP12305
Noted for its dramatic foliage, award-winning Sambucus nigra Black Beauty® (Elderberry) is a large, upright, deciduous shrub or small tree adorned with a rich and lush, lacy foliage of deeply dissected, deep purple leaves from spring to fall. In early summer, a profusion of lemon-scented umbels packed with large, pinkish-purple flowers are on display. They contrast nicely with the dark leaves and give way to edible purple-black berries later in the season. Tough and adaptable, this is a stunning shrub for the back of mixed borders, hedges or screens.
- Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
- Grows up to 8-15 ft. tall (240-450 cm) and 4-8 ft. wide (120-240 cm). Spreads freely by self-seeding and by root suckers to form colonies.
- Performs best in full sun or part shade, in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Best foliage color when grown in full sun.
- Excellent choice as a single specimen plant, informal screens or hedges.
- May be subject to verticillium wilt and aphids. Deer resistant.
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter.
- Will tolerate hard pruning to restrict the size; can be maintained as a small shrub. Prune suckers unless naturalizing is desired. Regular pruning of the foliage of this cultivar will encourage growth of additional purple leaves.
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics. All parts are toxic to humans.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 6
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Sambucus - Elder |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early) |
Height | 8' – 15' (240cm – 4.5m) |
Spread | 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm) |
Spacing | 108" – 240" (270cm – 600cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com, Spring Meadow Nursery
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 6
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Sambucus - Elder |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early) |
Height | 8' – 15' (240cm – 4.5m) |
Spread | 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm) |
Spacing | 108" – 240" (270cm – 600cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |