Alphabetical Plant Listing

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

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Sambucus - Elder


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

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Sambucus - Elder

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