Sambucas Nigra varieties

I am hoping someone can advise which of the "black leafed" Elders is the best to go for. I visited a garden a few years ago and can remember seeing 2 different ones but cannot remember which was which if that makes sense. I know there are 2 varieties maybe more? Black Lace and Black Beauty are the 2 I've heard of. I'd prefer a variety which grows bigger and perhaps is blacker but maybe I cannot have both? If anyone has experience of growing this shrub I'd be grateful for any information. Also I think they have pink flowers but presume (maybe wrongly) that if like other Sambucas you prune them hard for good new foliage, you loose the flowers? unless you prune some old growth and leave others to get both.

 

I like both Black Lace and Black Beauty. Black Lace has more finely cut foliage, looks almost like a dissected leaf Acer. http://www.flickr.com/photos/julieparishruralgardener/3743056323/ This S. nigra Black Lace in the very left of the photo is actually in semi shade but on the whole I think they do better in sun.
I prune them both hard in the spring and both grow to 6 - 8 feet depending on where they are. Both are very dark, I think the flowers of Black Beauty are a bit pinker if anything.

 

...meant to say, even pruning quite hard each Spring...you still get theflowers, which hace a lovely lemony scent!

 

IF you call your garden "organised chaos" I have not the faintest what you'd call mine!...pandemonium comes to mind. It looks wonderful and love your Cotinus, a favourite of mine. Looks like a purchase of Black Lace in the offing then! Thank you very much and surprised/delighted that I might get flowers as well, a bonus.

 

I have planted both Black Lace and Black Beauty as I was impressed by them in the Red border at Hidcote. Yes, cut down (like Buddleia) to encourage strong / vigorous growth each year.

Used to have a Sambucus racemosa Aureau in a previous garden - I loved that. Only seem to be ale to find the pink-tinged Flamingo (or whatever its called!) and I don't think its anything like as nice.

 

Thank you Kristen, I have not used this forum for very long but already have realised that you are extremely knowledgeable! It is of great use to be able to actually find out from others what plants are really like as the pictures you see in catalogues etc always look amazing but in reality maybe not!

 

"that you are extremely knowledgeable!"

You are confusing "knowledgeable" and "opinionated"

Some pictures attached

 

Thank you for the photos will definately be making an addition to my garden. There is no harm IMHO being opinionated IF it is backed up with plenty of knowledge.

 

Silu, I planted 'Black Beauty' in Ayr but now have 'Black Lace' here in Hampshire.

Our Ayr garden was much bigger than here, so I had room for a 'solid' shrub like Black Beauty. Down here, there is not much space, so I chose 'Black Lace' as more light gets through its leaves, and you can see right through them, catching glimpses of other plants.

I've also found that although 'Black Beauty' bears more flower heads, 'Black Lace' has much larger 'plates' of flowers.

Both are lovely but need hard pruning, otherwise they'll take over the area in which they are planted!