Black Lace Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’) is an ornamental shrub admired for its dark, finely cut foliage and pink, lemon-scented flowers. Growing 6-8 feet tall and wide, this deciduous shrub adds a striking presence to gardens. Proper pruning is essential for its health and appearance.
Why Prune Black Lace Elderberry
Pruning Black Lace Elderberry offers several benefits for its well-being and aesthetic appeal. It maintains a desirable size and shape, preventing the shrub from becoming overgrown or leggy. Pruning directs the plant’s energy into producing new, vigorous growth, which often displays the most vibrant foliage color.
Removing older, weaker stems allows the plant to focus resources on more attractive, newer growth. Pruning also promotes better air circulation within the canopy, which helps deter diseases and pests. While primarily grown for its dramatic foliage, pruning can also encourage more abundant flowering, as blooms typically appear on new wood.
When to Prune Black Lace Elderberry
Major pruning of Black Lace Elderberry is best done in late winter or early spring, while the plant is dormant and before new growth begins. Pruning during this period minimizes stress and encourages a strong flush of new growth. This timing is important because Black Lace Elderberry produces flowers and berries on new growth.
Pruning after new growth starts can remove potential blooms for the current season. For the most intense foliage color, some gardeners recommend cutting the plant back to the ground every early spring, though this may reduce flowering. Light shaping or removing spent flowers can be done after blooming (typically June to July), but significant pruning should be reserved for the dormant season.
How to Prune Black Lace Elderberry
Proper pruning techniques and tools are important for the health and appearance of your Black Lace Elderberry. Clean, sharp tools ensure precise cuts and minimize plant damage.
Essential Tools
Bypass pruners are suitable for smaller stems, providing clean cuts that heal quickly. Loppers are necessary for branches too thick for hand pruners, offering more leverage for cuts up to 1.5-2 inches in diameter. For thicker, older woody stems, a pruning saw is required to make clean, efficient cuts. Always ensure tools are sharp and sanitized to prevent disease spread.
General Pruning Principles
Make clean, angled cuts just above a bud or branch collar. The branch collar is the swollen area at the base of a branch; preserving it helps the plant heal properly. Avoid leaving stubs, as these can become entry points for pests and diseases. Remove any branches growing inward or crossing and rubbing against others, as this creates wounds and impedes air circulation.
Specific Pruning Techniques
Thinning
Thinning involves removing older, less productive stems from the plant’s base. This encourages new growth from the crown and helps maintain an open structure, improving light penetration and air circulation. Remove about one-third of the oldest branches annually.
Shaping and Size Control
Shaping and Size Control is achieved by selectively cutting back branches to an outward-facing bud or side branch. This directs the plant’s growth and maintains its desired form and overall size. Since Black Lace Elderberry grows vigorously, regular shaping prevents it from becoming leggy or overly dense.
Rejuvenation Pruning
Rejuvenation Pruning, also known as hard pruning, is a drastic cut-back for overgrown or neglected plants. Cut the entire shrub back to 6-12 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring. While this sacrifices flowers for the current season, it stimulates vigorous new growth from the base, renewing the plant. This method is useful for encouraging the best foliage color.
Deadheading or Light Pruning
Deadheading or Light Pruning can be performed during the growing season. Removing spent flowers (deadheading) can encourage more blooms or prevent berries if not desired. Light trimming maintains shape or removes minor damaged growth. Avoid heavy pruning outside the dormant season to prevent stress and ensure future flowering.
Post-Pruning Care and Avoiding Mistakes
After pruning, especially if significant material was removed, ensure the plant receives adequate moisture. Watering, particularly if the soil is dry, helps support new growth. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring can provide additional nutrients for vigorous new development.
Monitoring the plant for new growth and health is beneficial. Over-pruning is a common mistake, which can stress the plant or significantly reduce flowering. Removing more than 30% of top growth in a single pruning session is generally not recommended, except for a complete rejuvenation cut. Dull or dirty tools lead to ragged cuts that are slow to heal and susceptible to disease. Pruning at the wrong time of year, such as late summer or fall, can remove flower buds for the following season or leave the plant vulnerable to winter damage. Ensure cuts are made at the correct angle and location, avoiding long stubs, to promote healthy healing.