Family
Caprifoliaceae
Botanical Name
Sambucus nigra 'Gerda'(BLACK BEAUTY) PP12305
Plant Common Name
Black Elderberry
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Elderberries are large deciduous shrubs native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa. They are grown for their beautiful foliage, large, musky-scented flowers and showy clusters of fruits. Wildlife magnets, their inflorescences are often visited by butterflies and fruits are favored by birds.
Introduced by the Horticulture Research Institute in East Malling, England and usually sold under the name Black Beauty™, the cultivar 'Gerda' sports intense purple-black pinnate leaves. These are divided into many elliptic leaflets, giving a tropical appearance. The leaves emit a somewhat unpleasant odor when crushed. In late spring and summer, flat-topped umbels of scented, bright pink flowers appear followed in autumn by large clusters of glossy black berries.
Not fussy about soils, elderberries like a sunny spot and moderate moisture. For best fruiting, plant two or more cultivars in the shrub border or as a screen or backdrop for brightly colored plants. Black Beauty elderberry can easily pruned as a hedge or to maintain the desired size.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m
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Width
8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Europe, Northern Africa, Southern Asia, Western Asia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Pink
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Fruit Color
Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Purple, Black
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Purple, Black
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Purple, Black
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Bark Color
Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
