The Black Lace Elderberry, botanically known as Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’, is a striking deciduous shrub admired for its distinctive ornamental qualities. Its deeply cut, dark purple-black foliage creates a lacy, almost Japanese maple-like appearance, providing a dramatic contrast in garden settings. In early summer, this plant produces clusters of delicate, lemon-scented pink flowers that stand out against the dark leaves. This combination of unique foliage and charming blooms makes the Black Lace Elderberry a popular choice for gardeners seeking visual interest and a resilient plant.
Planting Your Black Lace Elderberry
Selecting an appropriate location is an important first step for planting your Black Lace Elderberry. This shrub can grow to a mature size of 6 to 10 feet in both height and width, so choose a spot that accommodates its mature dimensions. Before planting, prepare the soil by ensuring it is moist and well-drained. Incorporating organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, into the planting hole can improve soil structure and fertility.
When planting, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and about the same depth, or slightly deeper, than the plant was in its nursery container. Gently loosen any circling roots to encourage outward growth once placed in the ground. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is level with or slightly below the surrounding soil surface. Backfill the hole with prepared soil, gently firming it around the roots to eliminate air pockets, and then water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Ongoing Care for Black Lace Elderberry
Light Needs
Black Lace Elderberry performs best with ample sunlight, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sun each day. This exposure helps maintain the plant’s characteristic dark purple-black foliage and encourages a profusion of its pink flowers. While it tolerates partial shade, particularly in warmer climates where some afternoon shade can be beneficial, less light may result in greener foliage and reduced flowering.
Soil Preferences
This elderberry cultivar thrives in moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable to various conditions. It tolerates heavier clay soils better than many other shrubs, though good drainage is important to prevent root issues. A soil pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral is preferred, but the plant also grows adequately in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. Consistent soil moisture benefits overall plant health and vigor.
Watering Guidelines
Consistent watering is beneficial for Black Lace Elderberry, especially during its establishment period and dry spells. Aim to provide about 1 inch of water per week through a combination of rainfall and irrigation. While mature plants can tolerate some dryness once established, regular watering promotes robust growth and flowering. Monitor the soil moisture by checking the top few inches; water deeply when the soil begins to dry out.
Fertilizing Your Plant
Black Lace Elderberry generally does not require heavy fertilization, especially in its first year, as the focus is on root establishment. For mature plants, apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins to support healthy development. A formula such as 10-10-10 or a granular rose fertilizer can be suitable. Over-fertilizing, particularly with high-nitrogen formulas, can lead to dense foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning Black Lace Elderberry
Pruning benefits the health, shape, and vigor of your Black Lace Elderberry. It is generally recommended to avoid pruning for the first two years to allow the plant to establish a strong growth habit. After this initial period, the optimal time for pruning is in late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges. Pruning at this time helps the plant recover quickly and promotes stronger growth.
If your goal is to encourage more flowers and berries, elderberries bloom on new growth. Therefore, pruning after new growth has begun may reduce the current season’s blooms. When pruning, focus on removing about one-third of the oldest branches at the base of the shrub to direct energy to newer, more attractive stems. This renewal pruning helps keep the plant vigorous and reduces its spread. You can also prune to shape the plant, remove dead or damaged branches, or control its size.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Black Lace Elderberry is generally a resilient plant, but it can encounter some common issues. Pests such as aphids, spider mites, and borers can affect elderberries. Aphids often congregate on new growth, causing leaves to distort, and can sometimes be dislodged with a strong spray of water or treated with neem oil. Borers can cause sudden wilting of individual stems, and affected branches should be pruned out and destroyed.
The plant may also be susceptible to certain fungal diseases like powdery mildew, leaf spot, and canker. Powdery mildew appears as whitish-gray patches on leaves and is managed by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Leaf spot causes yellowing foliage, while cankers appear on stems. Preventing these diseases often involves proper spacing, watering at the soil level, and promptly removing and destroying infected plant parts. If a plant shows signs of root rot or verticillium wilt, often indicated by yellowing and wilting, adjust watering practices and ensure good drainage.