Description

Buy Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ online from our UK nursery. This deciduous shrub is valued for bold, finely cut foliage and flat heads of creamy flowers beloved by pollinators. Its finely cut, near-black leaves are topped by pink flowers. Every plant is raised outdoors and in tunnels at our St Annes nursery, so it arrives acclimatised to real UK weather.

Ornamental elders are fast-growing, hardy shrubs grown for striking foliage, flat heads of flowers in early summer and berries that birds enjoy.

Key features of Sambucus ‘Black Lace’

• Plant type: Deciduous shrub
• Season of interest: Late spring to early summer
• Height and spread: 1.5–3m (varies with site and pruning)
• Position: Full sun for the best leaf colour
• Soil: Any reasonably moist soil
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Supplied in: 3L pot
• Best for: foliage contrast, wildlife gardens, large borders, foliage colour

Where to plant Sambucus ‘Black Lace’

Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ grows best in full sun for the best leaf colour, in any reasonably moist soil. It is a good choice for foliage contrast, and also works well for wildlife gardens, large borders and foliage colour. Pair it with grasses and perennials.

How to plant Sambucus ‘Black Lace’

Before planting, soak the root ball in a bucket of water. Prepare a hole about twice the width of the pot, fork over the bottom and add organic matter. Plant at the original soil level, firm the soil around the roots and give it a generous drink.

How to care for Sambucus ‘Black Lace’

Water during dry spells in the first year. Cut back hard in early spring for the best foliage. Generally trouble-free.

Growing Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ in a pot

Can grow in large containers. Use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3, make sure the pot has drainage holes, and water regularly in summer, as containers dry out faster than borders.

Grown in the UK, for UK gardens

We grow our plants ourselves at St Annes in North West England. Raised outdoors and under cover in UK conditions, they are acclimatised, well rooted and ready to plant on arrival. This Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ is supplied in a 3L pot. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged; autumn and spring are ideal.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ grow?
Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ typically reaches 1.5–3m (varies with site and pruning), depending on position, soil and pruning.

When does Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ look its best?
Its main season of interest is late spring to early summer.

Is Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ hardy?
Fully hardy.

How do I prune Sambucus ‘Black Lace’?
Cut back hard in early spring for the best foliage.

Is Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ good for wildlife?
Yes. Pollinators visit the flowers and birds eat the berries.

Add Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ to your basket today and enjoy late spring to early summer interest in your garden.