Black Beauty ElderSambucus nigra ’Gerda’

A hardy, fast growing, multi-stem deciduous shrub with an upright, spreading habit of growth. Features dark purple foliage throughout the season. Produces attractive, clusters of tiny, soft pink blooms with a lemon scent in late spring to early summer, turning to small ornamental deep purple berries in fall.

Features:

• Medium size shrub
• Fast growth rate
• Deep purple fall color
• Produces suckers
• General garden use
• Accent/mass planting
• Hedge/screen
• Naturalization/reclamation/woodlands gardens
• Attracts birds

Optimal Growing Conditions:

• Plant in a full sun to partial shade location.
• Prefers average to wet conditions and will tolerate some standing water
• Will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location
• Highly tolerant of urban pollution

Maintenance:

• Ocassional maintenance
• Best pruned in late winter or early spring once the threat of extreme cold has passed