Black Beauty™ Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Gerda' P.P. #12,305, C.B.R. #2,663
This is a whole new look for elderberry! Massive, pink flowers in mid-summer contrast wonderfully with the dark purple, almost black foliage. Grow it as a shrub, or cut it back each year and use it as a bold perennial. Tons of appeal!
| Key feature: | Dramatic Foliage Color |
| Plant types: | Perennial, Shrub |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Deciduous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Prefers moist, well-drained. Prune after flowering; leave flower clusters intact for fall fruit. |
| Average landscape size: | Reaches up to 10 ft. tall. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Dramatic Foliage Color, Ornamental Berries |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Mass Planting, Privacy Screen |
| Flower color: | Pink |
| Blooms: | Early summer followed by fall fruit |
| Foliage color: | Purple |
| Item no.: | 1999 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Best in moist soil although will tolerate dry soils. Thrives under acid or alkaline soils. Best if pruned immediately after blooming. May be pruned to the ground each year and grown like a perennial. Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for trees and shrubs.
Design Ideas
Grow either as a shrub or cut it back every year and make it into a bold perennial. Good in groupings and masses, perennial and shrub borders, as a specimen or screen, on roadsides or for naturalizing, good in boggy or wet gardens.
This is a whole new look for elderberry! Massive, pink flowers in mid-summer contrast wonderfully with the dark purple, almost black foliage. Grow it as a shrub, or cut it back each year and use it as a bold perennial. Tons of appeal!
Care Information
Best in moist soil although will tolerate dry soils. Thrives under acid or alkaline soils. Best if pruned immediately after blooming. May be pruned to the ground each year and grown like a perennial. Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for trees and shrubs.
Design Ideas
Grow either as a shrub or cut it back every year and make it into a bold perennial. Good in groupings and masses, perennial and shrub borders, as a specimen or screen, on roadsides or for naturalizing, good in boggy or wet gardens.
| Key feature: | Dramatic Foliage Color |
| Plant types: | Perennial, Shrub |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Deciduous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Prefers moist, well-drained. Prune after flowering; leave flower clusters intact for fall fruit. |
| Average landscape size: | Reaches up to 10 ft. tall. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Dramatic Foliage Color, Ornamental Berries |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Mass Planting, Privacy Screen |
| Flower color: | Pink |
| Blooms: | Early summer followed by fall fruit |
| Foliage color: | Purple |
| Item no.: | 1999 |
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Monrovia soil products
The best fertilizer to use with this plant is All-Purpose Plant Food.view soil products