Mystery plant !

The neighbour has a tree/big shrub thing. It's dark red leaves and he says its called "Black Beauty". But what is it ? LOL - currently about 8ft high . Very pretty .

 

Is it Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' - http://www.plantadvice.co.uk/plant/161/ ?

 

If it is Sambucus then it should have that very distinctive elder berry bush smell.

 

Late spring pruning will keep this bush/tree to a height suitable for any garden situation. The berries are lovely and the colour of the foliage is a great backdrop/foil for some lighter coloured foliage plants. I have struck some cuttings of the golden coloured one with feathery disected leaves and hope at least one will "take". Ask neighbour for permission to take healed cuttings and try to propagate one for yourself. Better fun than buying from GC.
G.Man

 

What's a healed cutting and how do you do it ? In wee short words LOL ! I would love to try that .. this looks like the plant but it has no flowers on. ty!

 

Ok,
A heeled cutting is one taken with semi ripe wood. Tear the selected short piece of offshoot at the point where it joins the thicker stem this will give a cutting with a small piece of the larger stem attached (the heel) Trim the heel so that it is clean and remove some of the foliage, then dip the heel into homone powder. Previously you will have prepared a pot (large enough for three or four cuttings) with multi purpose compost and added grit/sand or perlite. Wet the compost and make holes with a dibber or a pencil or the OH's favourite, a chopstick. Insert the cuttings till just below the first leaves and firm in gently and cover the compost with perlite or washed gravel. Place in a coldframe or a windowsill that does not get direct sunlight. When the cuttings take, you will see new growth at the tips, keep well watered but not soaking wet and when they are well rooted, transplant into individual pots till big enough to plant out.
Sambucus take quite readily so good luck.:thumb: G.Man

 

My OH thinks he knows how to do this. When is the best time to take them ?

 

Now is good

 

It has lovely pink blossom