Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' (Ornamental Elder) – Dark Cut Leaf Shrub (3L Pot)

Sambucus 'Black Lace' is an ornamental elder with finely cut, almost black purple leaves that look remarkably like a Japanese maple but grow at three times the speed.

In early summer, flat heads of pink budded flowers open creamy pink and lemon scented against the dark foliage, and the contrast is one of the best things in a June garden. Dark purple black berries follow in autumn and the birds take them. The leaves are the main event, though, and they hold their colour all season.

It grows quickly to around three metres each way and makes a strong architectural shape, either as a specimen on its own or as part of a mixed hedge. It is completely hardy, stands coastal wind, and is happy in most soils in full sun or partial shade. Plant it in sun: in shade the black leaves go a muddy green.

It takes hard pruning in late winter and comes back stronger, which is how to keep it compact, though cutting it hard costs you that year's flowers and berries. Supplied as an established plant in a 3L pot.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Black lace elder
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Up to 3m tall by 3m wide
• Growth Habit: Upright, bushy, fast growing deciduous shrub
• Perfect For: Borders, cottage and wildlife gardens, specimen planting and mixed hedges
• Foliage: Deeply dissected, finely cut, dark purple black leaves
• Flowering Time: Early to midsummer, lemon scented pink cream flower heads, followed by dark berries in autumn
• Planting Position: Full sun for the darkest leaf colour, or partial shade, including coastal gardens. Fully hardy.
• Soil Type: Moist but well drained soil of most kinds
• Hardiness: Fully hardy right across Britain
• Maintenance: Low. Cut back hard in late winter if you want it smaller; it recovers quickly.
• Seasonal Interest: Summer and autumn
• Type: Hardy deciduous shrub