Sambucus Nigra 'Black Beauty' Elder Tree AKA Gerda and Purple Elder.
If you want a small elder in your garden, you no longer need to kidnap one from the Dwarf retirement home. No matter how much you get to know this Sambucus, it will always have a dark side, as in physical colouring and not a hatred of Jedi Knights. Considered a very serious tree because it will never lighten up.
Black Beauty is one of those trees that stands out. Not stands outside like almost every other tree but striking as in attention-getting. This is because of the very dark foliage (one of the first to be introduced to the UK) that has been described as burgundy-black which makes it a great gift for Goth and Emo's. The growers say that this makes a great addition to the border, we can only assume this means Passport Control endorses this tree.
It is a deciduous small shrub/tree with the RHS Award Of Garden Merit and very distinctive lemon-scented purple flowers that turn into glossy black elderberries which might be named as such because only OAP's will eat them. Expect an increase in wildlife to your property because of them.
Fruit and flowers may be used for flavouring, wine and cooking.
Expect a 10-year height and width of around 3 x 2m.
Planting Sambucus Nigra 'Black Beauty' Elder Tree
Grows in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soils. Also thrives on extremely chalky sites: Tolerates shade, but colours best in sun. Hardy down to minus 20 degrees centigrade.
Prunung Sambucus Nigra 'Black Beauty' Elder Tree
Always prune out dead, diseased or crossing-over branches but generally speaking the Black Beauty does not require pruning. Usually best done when dormant and on a dry day to reduce the chances or disease getting in.
Other Interesting Information About Our Sambuccus Nigra Black Beauty. AKA Gerda and Purple Elder
Most likely not named after the famous black horse. If you see someone fitting your Black Beauty with a saddle then they are extremely confused or very short-sighted.
If you fill a shot glass with parts of the tree and set fire to it then you would have a flaming sambucus which is nothing to do with a flaming sambuca and won't get you drunk.
You can also plant a Purple Elder by putting an OAP with blue/red hair rinse into a hole in the garden but they won't stay there very long.
If you plant more than one of them, you technically could be recreating the black forest.
If you want help doing your Chuck Berry impression then throw some fruiting branches over the fence.
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
Our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
