Black Tower™ Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Effel1' PP23633
As with the majority of plant names, they generally fit the appeal and look of the plant they are named after. The Black Tower Elderberry definitely is no exception. Sporting gorgeous burgundy-black colored foliage, it grows upright creating several spires for a rustic cottage-esque atmosphere– more accurately described as “black towers.” Its rounded edges are soft yet defined, like a serrated blade, creating a sophisticated, almost regal texture. What’s more is its luminous pink blooms during the spring which express a stark contrast to the calamitous dark foliage. Landscaping applications for this beautiful shrub are only limited to your imagination. Left alone, it can reach up to around 7 ft tall and given its upright growth habit, its horizontal growth is more reserved to around 4 ft. A more unique aspect to this plant is its nutritional value. During the fall, burgundy pea-sized berries form and can be harvested for making wine and jams, or better yet they can be left on the plant to attract birds and other wildlife for you to enjoy! We’ve found it is most suitable to be grown in zones 6-10 with minimal climate controlling needed closer to the extremes of each spectrum.