Elderberry, Black Elder, European Elder, Bourtree 'Black Beauty' (Sambucus nigra

jamie68 Vancouver, WA(Zone 8b) Oct 03, 2006

Elderberry, Black Elder, European Elder, Bourtree 'Black Beauty'
Sambucus nigra

A really nice plant, and when in flower....Oooh, Aaah!!

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rcn48 Lexington, VA(Zone 6a) Oct 05, 2006

Jamie, this looks more like 'Black Beauty' http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/56909/index.html than 'Black Lace'?

Debbie

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jamie68 Vancouver, WA(Zone 8b) Oct 05, 2006

Debbie~~

Thank-you so much for pointing that out! I went running out in the rain at 8:30am in flannel pajamas to check the tag on my plant....it is of course MISLABLED, but you are clearly right....it is 'Black Beauty'...I will let Admin know and get the pic moved

How embarssing! At least someone let me know....Thanks again! I do want 'Black Lace though...it sure is lovely!!

Jamie

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bigcityal Appleton, WI(Zone 5a) Oct 06, 2006

Debbie - I have Black Lace and have seen lots of Black Lace around, but none with flowers.

Al

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rcn48 Lexington, VA(Zone 6a) Oct 06, 2006

Jamie, glad I could help :)

Al, we were extremely disappointed with 'Black Beauty' - only time it was "black" was in early, early spring. But we figured we'd give 'Black Lace' a chance - had been looking for the plant after seeing it two years ago in Rare Plants Magazine. Finally picked one up in January at a trade show and we got it planted in the garden in full sun to test its "black" foliage. We haven't seen any flowers yet either, but the foliage is gorgeous and has stayed black through the summer heat.

Debbie

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bigcityal Appleton, WI(Zone 5a) Oct 06, 2006

My question is, what is the desired form of this plant? Mine wanted to flop down so I staked it. Others I have seen have been one main stem leaning way over also.

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rcn48 Lexington, VA(Zone 6a) Oct 09, 2006

Al, sorry to be so long responding - we've been out of town. I know exactly what you mean about its habit - here's the original picture of ours - the first one posted was a cropped rendition.

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rcn48 Lexington, VA(Zone 6a) Oct 09, 2006

And here's one we took at a nursery in Maryland in August - not sure how old this specimen is but would guess it's probably its 2nd or 3rd year in the ground. Looks like it might be a "high maintenance" shrub to maintain an attractive form??