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Common elder
The Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' is a stunning variety of the common elder, known for its dramatic dark purple to almost black foliage. This deciduous shrub offers a unique twist on the traditional elder with its finely cut, almost lacy leaves and soft pink flowers that bloom in early summer. Ideal for adding a touch of elegance to any garden, 'Black Lace' can be utilized in various landscaping designs, including borders, group plantings, or as a solitary focal point.
This variety has all the hardiness of the common elder, making it a resilient addition to your garden. With its upright bushy growth, it can reach an impressive height of up to 4 meters, creating a striking silhouette against the backdrop of your outdoor space.
We would like to provide some tips on how to plant and care for a Shrubs. By following these tips, you can be sure to enjoy your Shrubs for a long time.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' flourishes best in a location where it can bask in full sun or enjoy partial shade. Adequate sunlight is key to achieving the richest hue of its striking purple-black foliage. This adaptable shrub is not fussy about soil types, though it does require the soil to be well-drained to prevent root issues. While it has an average water need, it is not particularly drought-resistant, so consistent moisture is important for optimal growth and health, especially during dry periods.
For optimal establishment, Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' should be planted in well-drained soil, which can range from clay to loam. The location should offer full sun to partial shade to encourage vigorous growth and the best floral display. When placing this shrub into the landscape, consider its mature size, ensuring it has ample space to reach its full potential height of 4 meters with an upright to bushy growth habit. After planting, water the shrub to settle the soil around the root ball and maintain consistent moisture levels, especially during dry spells, to promote healthy development.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' benefits from limited pruning to maintain its striking appearance and encourage the growth of its distinctive purple-black foliage. If necessary, remove any dead or damaged branches in late winter or early spring. This shrub can be pruned back hard if desired, as it can tolerate being cut back to ground level. Such drastic pruning may be used to rejuvenate an overgrown specimen or to promote a denser growth habit, but it is not essential for the health of the plant.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' thrives with consistent moisture, especially when establishing its root system in a new environment. It is vital to provide it with regular watering, particularly in dry periods to maintain the soil's well-drained condition. Although this cultivar has an average water need, during the peak of summer, it may require additional hydration to sustain its vibrant purple foliage and support the development of its delicate pink flowers. Watering should be thorough, allowing moisture to penetrate deeply into the soil, which promotes a robust root structure and overall plant health.
To ensure the Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' thrives, a balanced approach to fertilization is key. Begin in early spring, applying a general-purpose fertilizer formulated for shrubs. This initial feeding supports the vigorous growth and development of the stunning purple foliage and the delightful flowers that bloom in May and June. A second application of fertilizer is recommended in mid-summer to sustain the plant's energy as it enters the fruiting phase, yielding the characteristic black and purple berries by autumn.
Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to foliage at the expense of flowers and fruits. It's best to follow the recommended rates on the fertilizer packaging. Water the shrub well after applying fertilizer to help distribute the nutrients evenly throughout the soil.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' boasts a stunning presence in any garden with its deep purple, almost black foliage, which offers a dramatic contrast to the typical greenery. This cultivar also produces delicate clusters of pink flowers in early summer, which evolve into dark berries by autumn. These berries can be used to create homemade wines and jams. An often overlooked aspect of this plant is its ability to adapt to different soil types, making it a versatile addition to various garden settings.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' typically reaches a height of 4 meters when fully mature.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' can thrive in a variety of soil types, as long as the soil is well-drained. Ensuring proper drainage is essential for the optimal growth of this plant.
The ideal location for Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' is an area that receives both sunlight and partial shade. It can thrive in a spot where it gets direct sunlight as well as in a location with partial shade. This adaptable plant can offer its best performance under these light conditions.
The flowering color of Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' includes delicate shades of pink and white, adding a touch of elegance to this particular variety.
Certainly, Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' is considered winter hardy. It can endure temperatures as low as -20.6°C to -15.0°C, falling within the USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7a. Consequently, this plant exhibits a robust ability to withstand the winter climate, making it suitable for cultivation in regions experiencing these temperature ranges.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' is not an evergreen plant. It is a deciduous plant, meaning it sheds its leaves annually and grows new ones in the following season.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' matures steadily, taking approximately 5 to 10 years to reach its full height. This suggests that the plant demonstrates a moderate growth rate, gradually developing over a period of several years.
If we are proud of anything at Heijnen Plants, it is our plant packaging. We have developed our own unique way of packaging our 9x9 cm potted plants. After years of continued development and research, we managed to create packaging that allows plants to be delivered to your home undamaged and quickly through a parcel service. This makes us unique!
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If you have ordered large-sized plants or trees, we deliver them on sealed pallets and place them around your house or driveway. The pallets are sturdy and provide optimal protection for large-sized plants.
We deliver small or medium-sized plants in boxes. The size of the box depends on the size of the plant. We always make sure that the plant has enough space but still stands firmly in the box, so it cannot be damaged during transport.
The Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' enchants with its finely cut, dark purple foliage, resembling the delicate structure of lace. This ornamental shrub offers a dramatic flair and is a perfect focal point for any garden, providing a striking contrast to green foliage and bright blooms.