Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla Black Lace ='Eva'

Common name: Black Lace Elder

Description: This stunning ornamental elder offers dramatic dark foliage that creates striking contrast in the garden. The deeply cut, finely divided leaves emerge purple-black in spring and maintain their dark colouring throughout the growing season, creating an exceptional backdrop for other plants. In early summer, large flat clusters of pink-budded flowers open to reveal lemon-scented pale pink blooms that create a beautiful contrast against the dark foliage. By autumn, clusters of glossy black berries develop, providing food for wildlife. The combination of dark lacy foliage, delicate pink flowers, and architectural form makes 'Black Lace' a standout ornamental shrub. This cultivar has a more compact habit than the species whilst retaining the elder's fast growth and tolerance of hard pruning.

Other benefits: dramatic purple-black foliage, fragrant pink flowers, edible berries, architectural structure, excellent for dark foliage schemes, compact habit, wildlife-friendly

Wildlife attraction: bees, butterflies, hoverflies, pollinators, birds (berries provide autumn food)

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2.5m x 2.5m

Position: full sun to partial shade; best foliage colour in full sun

Soil pH: adaptable; grows well in neutral to alkaline soils

Moisture: moderate watering; prefers moist but well-drained soil; reasonably tolerant once established

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -20°C and below