£22.00
Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ is a striking deciduous shrub celebrated for its almost black lace-like foliage, delicate pink flowers, and ornamental berries. Ideal for adding drama and seasonal interest to garden borders or as a standalone feature, it’s also wildlife-friendly and hardy. While it’s relatively low-maintenance, be mindful of its spreading habit and potential toxicity if used in edible applications.
Foliage: The shrub boasts deeply dissected, lace-like leaves in a striking dark purple to nearly black tone—hence the name “Black Lace.” The foliage remains dramatic from spring through autumn.
Flowers: In early to mid-summer (June to July), it features flat-topped clusters of tiny, soft pink (sometimes with white-flushed) flowers that create a lovely contrast against the dark leaves.
Berries: Post-flowering, the plant produces glossy purple-black or red-black berries that are ornamental and attract wildlife. The berries can also be used in jams, jellies, or wines—when properly prepared.
Mature Size: Typically grows to around 2.5–4 m in both height and spread—roughly 8–13 feet.
Form: Upright, bushy shrub, sometimes used as a specimen, hedge, or screen.
Light & Soil: Thrives in full sun to partial shade—full sun brings out the leaf color best—and performs well in a variety of soils, including clay, loam, sandy, moist, well-drained, chalky, acidic, or alkaline.
Hardiness: Fully hardy and suitable for UK gardens (grown zones H6, down to –20 °C).
Maintenance: Moderate care. Prune in early spring (or after flowering) to maintain shape or rejuvenate growth. Hard pruning to ground level is tolerated and can renew the foliage but may reduce flowering.
Propagation: Sometimes limited by trademark restrictions (“Black Lace®” / ‘Eva’), so propagation might be legally restricted.
Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, other pollinators, and birds. Flowers offer nectar/pollen, while berries feed birds.
The plant contains cyanogenic glycosides and other compounds—green parts and unripe berries can be toxic if ingested raw. Proper preparation (cooking) is needed for culinary use.
Holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit—a mark of reliability and performance in gardens.
Also received a Silver Medal from the Royal Boskoop Horticulture Society.
Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ is a striking deciduous shrub celebrated for its almost black lace-like foliage, delicate pink flowers, and ornamental berries. Ideal for adding drama and seasonal interest to garden borders or as a standalone feature, it’s also wildlife-friendly and hardy. While it’s relatively low-maintenance, be mindful of its spreading habit and potential toxicity if used in edible applications.
| Size | 3 Litre |
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