
Black Elder
- Botanical Name
- Sambucus nigra
- Hardiness
- Zones 5 to 7
- Height
- 10 to 20 feet
- Width
- 10 to 20 feet
- Flowers
- Late spring: yellowish-white
- Fruit
- Black berry-like pome, 1/4"
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil
- Moist to wet, well-drained
- Planting & Care
- Prune suckers to control size
- Remove deadwood in late winter, can be cut back completely in late winter to rejuvenate and tidy up appearance
- Problems
- Spider mites, aphids
- Varieties
- Black Lace - dissected purple foliage, 8-10', makes fine substitute for Japanese maple
- Black Beauty - purple foliage, 8-10'
- Instant Karma - green and white variegated foliage, 8-10' tall and wide
- Laced Up - 6-10' tall by 3-4' wide, narrow, upright habit, dissected purple foliage
Related Content
Article
Article
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
June 1, 2025
Growing, Harvesting & Preserving Favorite Italian Herbs Demos
Festa Italiana-Cucina Showcase
Milwaukee, WI
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
June 8, 2025
Selecting the Right Hydrangea
for Your Landscape
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 14, 2025
Houseplants 101
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 20, 2025 (event 6/20-6/22)
Pollinator Celebration
Vino in the Valley
Maiden Rock, WI
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More