Black Lace® Elderberry (Sambucus)
Shrub
- Enjoy lacy black foliage paired with pink flower clusters.
- Deer resistant and easy to care for plant from Proven Winners.
- Make a statement with this stunning and versatile plant.
- Zones 4-7, sun/part sun, 10′ tall x 10′ wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Black Lace elderberry from Proven Winners is a versatile plant that can be left to grow into a large shrub, trained into a tree-like habit, or cut back each year to behave more like a foliage perennial (if you choose this method, do note that it won't flower, as it blooms on old wood). It's really up to your imagination how to use this striking plant! If you want berries to form on this elderberry, you need to plant a different variety to pollinate it - you can choose from Black Beauty, Instant Karma, and Laced Up. Plant them anywhere within 50' of another, though closer is preferable to ensure the best pollination. Both plants will get berries.
*Berries should only be used for ornamental purposes, not to be ingested.
Details
Patent #: USPP 15,575
Common name: Elderberry
Zone: 4 - 7
Sun exposure: Full sun (6+ hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 6-10' tall x wide
Flower color: White and pink
Foliage color: Purple-black
Season of Interest: Spring-fall
Bloom time: Spring, fall
Features: Rabbit resistant, Proven Winners, deer resistant, cold tolerant
Uses: Specimen, hedge, perennial gardens, landscaping.
How to Grow
Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day) to part shade (4-6 hrs of sun/day). The warmer the climate, the more beneficial shade becomes.
Water: Average.
Space: 6-10' apart, depending on your ultimate goal for the plant.
Fertilizing: Little needed. Apply a granular rose fertilizer in early spring if desired.
Winterizing: A good 2-3" layer of mulch is recommended; nothing else is needed.
Maintenance & Pruning: Avoid cutting plants back/trimming them; rather, prune out branches selectively to attain desired shape. If you want to have berries on your plant, you will need to plant another elderberry of the same species within 50' of this one. Not recommended for hot climates.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.