Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' – The Striking Elderberry with Dark Foliage and Stunning Flowers
Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty,' commonly known as Black Beauty Elderberry, is a visually striking deciduous shrub that brings drama and elegance to any garden. With its rich, dark purple-black foliage, vibrant pinkish-white flowers, and deep black berries, it offers year-round interest. This cultivar of the common elderberry is perfect for adding bold contrasts to borders, woodland gardens, or wildlife-friendly landscapes. It’s also known for its adaptability, thriving in a variety of soil types and light conditions.
Why Grow Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty'?
Rich Dark Foliage – The deep purple-black leaves provide a dramatic contrast against lighter plants, creating a bold, elegant backdrop in your garden.
Elegant Flowers – Clusters of fragrant, pinkish-white flowers bloom in mid to late summer, adding a soft, airy texture to the plant and attracting pollinators.
Attractive Berries – By late summer or fall, clusters of small black berries appear, attracting birds and adding visual interest to the garden.
Wildlife-Friendly – The flowers and berries attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, while the berries are enjoyed by birds, making it a perfect addition to a wildlife-friendly garden.
Fast-Growing – A fast-growing shrub that quickly establishes its presence in the garden, providing structure and beauty in no time.
Height of Plant
Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' typically grows to about 2–3 meters in height and spreads around 2–3 meters wide, making it suitable for medium to large gardens, or as a specimen shrub in a border or woodland setting.
Where to Site Your Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty'
Its bold foliage and striking flowers make it perfect for:
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Woodland gardens, where it can provide a dramatic contrast among trees and other shrubs.
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Mixed borders, adding colour and texture with its unique foliage and flowers.
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Wildlife gardens, as it attracts pollinators and birds.
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Specimen planting or as a focal point, where its striking foliage can be fully appreciated.
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Moist, well-drained soils in both sunny and partially shaded spots.
How to Grow and Care for Your Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty'
Soil – Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including loamy, sandy, and even slightly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Light – Best grown in full sun to partial shade. In full sun, the dark foliage of 'Black Beauty' will shine the brightest, but it can tolerate some shade.
Watering – Requires regular watering, especially during dry spells, as it thrives in moist conditions. However, once established, it becomes moderately drought-tolerant.
Maintenance:
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Pruning – Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged wood. Regular pruning helps maintain the bushy shape and encourages fresh growth.
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Mulching – Apply mulch around the base to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and provide some protection against extreme temperatures.
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Pest & Disease Resistance – Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' is generally pest- and disease-resistant but may occasionally suffer from aphids or powdery mildew, especially in humid conditions.
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Cold Hardy – Hardy to about -15°C to -20°C, making it suitable for a variety of climates, including colder regions.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' pairs beautifully with a variety of plants. Its dark foliage provides a bold contrast to lighter plants such as ornamental grasses, daylilies, and asters. The vibrant flowers and berries complement other flowering shrubs like Hydrangeas or Spiraea. For a stunning effect, combine it with other dark-foliage plants, such as Heuchera or Cotinus, to create a dramatic, moody garden scheme.
With its striking dark foliage, beautiful flowers, and attractive berries, Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' is a perfect choice for adding visual interest, structure, and wildlife value to any garden. Whether as a backdrop, specimen shrub, or part of a mixed border, it offers year-round appeal, from its bold foliage in spring and summer to the birds it attracts in the fall.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
