Elderberry - Sambucus nigra ' Black Beauty'- €15 per plant 

This plant makes a wonderful addition to the garden as its unique colours make a bold statement among softer greens. When the delicate pink flowers are blooming, the paleness of the petals contrast brilliantly with the purple foliage, making a fantastic display of pastel tones. Grows well alone, but also is an excellent hedging plant.  It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry fertile soils, but it prefers moist, well drained soil.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Most of Europe and North America.
  • native habitat: Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.
  • family: Caprifoliaceae


Predators

  • Aphids and caterpillars may feed on elderberry bush leaves, stems and shoots.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun, semi shade
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 - 8
  • Prefers moist, well drained soil

Known hazards 

  • The leaves and stems are poisonous
  • Any toxin the fruit might contain is likely to be of quite low toxicity and is destroyed when the fruit is cooked

Overview

  • 40 - 60 cm high bare root sapling
  • Deciduous Shrub growing to 4.5 m by 2.5 m at a medium rate.
  • It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies.
  • It is noted for attracting wildlife. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers moist soil
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • It cannot grow in full sun or partial shade
  • The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
  • It can tolerate deers
  • Can tolerate clay soils

Characteristics

  • form: Woody plant with several stems growing from the base
  • layer : Shrub Layer/small tree
  • habit: quick growing
  • height x width (m): 4.5 x 2.5

Products 

  • Flowers: Freshly scented, pale pink flowers opening in early summer and emerging from attractive dark red buds. 
  • Fruit: Purple black autumn fruits that are highly attractive to songbirds. 
  • Leaves: Stunning, deep purple foliage

Functions, behaviours

  • Very tolerant of pruning, plants can be cut back to ground level and will regrow from the base
  • Berries are an important food for many fruit-eating birds, distracting them from eating other cultivated fruits
  • For best foliage colour grow in full sun, otherwise leaves can fade to a greenish-bronze.
If you would like this plant  please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project