Black Lace Elderberry | Dark Purple Lacy Foliage Shrub

Black Lace Black Elder

5 Gallon

$99.00

1/4

Black Lace Black Elder

Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’

A dramatic, award-winning elder with near-black, finely cut foliage and showy pink flower clusters.

$99.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Black Lace Elderberry is a dramatic, award-winning cultivar of European elder, celebrated for its intensely dark, finely cut foliage and showy pink flower clusters. This deciduous shrub combines the ornamental appeal of a Japanese maple with the robust, fast-growing nature of elderberry . Its deeply dissected, lacy leaves emerge in deep burgundy and mature to a near-black purple, creating a stunning backdrop for the large, flat-topped clusters of lemon-scented, pink-tinged flowers in late spring to early summer . The flowers are followed by heavy clusters of glossy, red-black berries in late summer and fall, which attract birds and can be harvested for culinary uses. With its compact, rounded form and exceptional foliage color, it is a superb choice for adding dark, architectural contrast to borders, foundation plantings, and containers.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Finely dissected, compound leaves with deeply serrated leaflets; foliage emerges deep burgundy, matures to dark purple-black; large (6-10 inch), flat-topped clusters of small, lemon-scented, pink-tinged flowers in late spring to early summer .
Fruit: Heavy clusters of small, glossy, red-black berries in late summer to fall; edible when fully ripe and cooked .
Mature Height: 6-8 ft
Mature Spread: 6-8 ft
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 4-7 ; Sunset 2-7, 14-17
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade (best foliage color in full sun)
Core Benefits: Striking dark purple, finely cut foliage, showy pink flower clusters, edible flowers and berries, fast-growing, attracts pollinators and birds
Best Uses: Specimen plant, mixed borders, foundation plantings, cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, edible landscapes, containers

Q: How does Black Lace® differ from other elderberry varieties?
A: It is distinguished by its deep purple-black, finely dissected foliage (resembling a Japanese maple), pink-tinged flower clusters, and compact, manageable size (6-8 ft) . It offers exceptional ornamental value while retaining the edible flowers and berries of the species .

Q: How much sun does it need for the best foliage color?
A: For the richest, darkest purple-black foliage, plant Black Lace® in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun daily). In partial shade, the leaves may appear more greenish-purple and the plant may become leggy .

Q: Are the flowers and berries really edible?
A: Yes, both the flowers and fully ripe berries are edible. The flowers are best harvested when fully open and can be used fresh in syrups, teas, and cordials . The berries must be fully ripe(dark red-black) and cooked before consumption, as raw berries contain compounds that can cause digestive upset . They are excellent for jams, pies, syrups, and wines .

Q: How should I prune Black Lace® Elderberry?
A: Prune in late winter or early spring while the plant is dormant. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. To maintain a compact shape, cut back up to one-third of the oldest stems to the ground to encourage fresh, vigorous growth . It flowers on old wood, so avoid heavy pruning just before flowering.