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black lace elderberry

Posted by diggerb2 z5oh (My Page) on
Wed, Jun 28, 06 at 9:51

i'm thinking of getting this shrub.
planning it for a partial shade site(sun from mid morn til mid afternoon) spot tends to be moist. with forest pansy
redbud and jane magnolia and an old rose of sharron bush. with chocolate joe-pie weed and queen of the meadow.

I really like the highly cut leaves. flowers and berries aren't a problem either.

what are your experiences with this new shrub? will it like the home i want to give it? other suggested plantings for it?

diggerb


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: black lace elderberry

Since it's a relatively new release, much of the info on it has come from Canada or Europe. I am trying one for the first time this year and have it in a part-sun spot as well. I have a feeling that to keep the darkest leaves, it may need to be in a more full sun position (but I'll be watching to see what the leaves do), otherwise it may go muddy or greenish.


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RE: black lace elderberry

I have several growing in part sun - they keep their dark colour very well (and also grow extremely fast!)


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RE: black lace elderberry

That's good to know ornata. Is the new growth greenish and then darkens as it matures? I'm just starting to see some new growth now and it is green.


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RE: black lace elderberry

New growth is slightly greenish but it darkens fairly quickly.


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RE: black lace elderberry

Great! Thanks much! :-D


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RE: black lace elderberry

I am interested in this shrub but I don't want it to get big. I've read that it can be severely pruned so as to maintain a compact form. Has anyone had luck with this?


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RE: black lace elderberry

I have read that Sambucus bushes tend to be "gawky" when they are young. Anyone have experience with this? I have a cut-leaf green one and it certainly has. I am always a hesitant pruner, but have cut the branches on mine back to try to make them bushier. Was this a mistake?
Just as an added note: they do seem to like a steady supply of moisture.


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RE: black lace elderberry

I have the Sutherland Elderberry bush. I have been training it into a small tree. It really is a fast grower it is supposed to get about 8ft tall 6ft wide. Since it is now a tree form the 6ft wide is no problem and it really does look nice in my tiny yard. I am going to get the Black Lace and do the same with it too.


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RE: black lace elderberry

My local nursery would not order Black Lace because she was convinced since it was an Elderberry that it would send up invasive suckers. Anyone have that problem?
Vic


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RE: black lace elderberry

Deer decimated my plant so if deer are an issue in your area I would suggest you cage it for protection.


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RE: black lace elderberry

Black Lace is a form of Sambucus nigra so it does not sucker as does S. canadensis. Also - if you grow only one clone you will not get much if any fruit. It is self incompatable.

I also beleive that the species blooms on old wood. It blooms in the spring and not in mid-summer as does S. canadenis. I cut mine back each spring and pinch it often to get a real bushy plant, but I only get a few flowers and no fruit. The new growth is green but changes quickly to dark black.


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RE: black lace elderberry

I just purchased a Black Lace. I trimmed the bottm 12 inches to train into a tree. Can anyone tell me the proper way to get it shaped into a small tree?
Thanks,
Vic


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RE: black lace elderberry

The plant does not sucker. It is grown primarily for foliage and flowers, but is not a fast grower in Ontario (zone 5.) Here is an excellent site about how to prune:

Here is a link that might be useful: Black Lace Elderberry


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