Meet the Breeder
Ken Tobutt
Kent, England
BLACK LACE®
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
'Eva'
USPP 15,575; CBR 2633
- Unique foliage
- Fragrant flowers
- Award winner
Finely dissected black foliage. Black Lace® elderberry is a stunning plant with enormous appeal at retail and in the landscape. Intense purple black foliage is finely cut, giving it an effect similar to that of Japanese maple (though it is hardier and more durable). Pink flowers in spring contrast nicely with the dark leaves. Plant in full sun for best color.
Awards ANLA #1 New Variety for 2006; Silver Medal, Royal Boskoop Horticulture Society; 2012 Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
USDA Zone 4 - 7 (-30°F/-34°C)
Exposure Full sun, Part sun
Height 6 - 10'
Width 6 - 10'
Finish Time .5 season
Type Deciduous
Bloom Time Early summer
Flower Color Pink
Foliage Color Black
Liner Sizes 2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn
General Care
Soil Extremely adaptable to soil pH and moisture levels.
Pruning Blooms on old wood. However, pruning after bloom will remove the potential for fruit to set.
Uses Grow either as a shrub or cut it back every year and make it into a bold perennial. Outstanding as a specimen, but also good in groupings and masses, perennial and shrub borders, as a specimen or screen.
Growing Tips If fruit is desired, plant with Black Beauty, Instant Karma, or Laced Up elderberry. Both flowers and ripe berries are edible; however, foliage and stems are toxic.
Features: Edible, Deer resistant, Foliage interest, Drought tolerant, Alkaline soil, Award winner, Clay soil
Filters: Botanical genus: Sambucus, Common name: Elderberry, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, Pink flowers, Black foliage
Features: Edible, Deer resistant, Foliage interest, Drought tolerant, Alkaline soil, Award winner, Clay soil
Filters: Botanical genus: Sambucus, Common name: Elderberry, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, Pink flowers, Black foliage