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Black Elderberry - Sambucus nigra Black Beauty

Sambucus nigra Black Beauty Gerda Cov
European Elder, Black Elder, Elder, Elderberry, European Elderberry, European black Elderberry

4,5/5
46 reviews
6 reviews
4 reviews
4 reviews
1 reviews

My Black Beauty elderberry Gerda arrived with yellowed foliage—it looks like it's already October, but it's still August! I hope it will turn a nice purple color by next spring... we'll see.

Isabelle , 24/08/2025

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

Graden Merit
Decorative bush with summer flowering in pink for flowerbeds and informal hedges.
Flower size
12 cm
Height at maturity
2.50 m
Spread at maturity
2 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -34°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil, Damp soil
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Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' (Gerda) is a beautiful bush with extraordinary flowers.

'Black Beauty' has upright branches and can reach a height of 1.50 to 2.50 m (4.9 to 8.2 ft) with a spread of 1 m to 2 m ( (3.3 to 6.6 ft). Flowering occurs in May-June in the form of lemon scented umbels of pink and then white flowers. The foliage remains purple throughout the season, contrasting with the light flowers. In summer, the elder produces dark purple berries, which are appreciated by birds.

Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' is hardy and not demanding in terms of soil type, preferring a sunny exposure. It can be planted in borders or free hedges, in association with evergreens.

The elder should be pruned short in early spring to allow for the renewal of branches, but keeping a minimum of old branches as the flowering will occur on the unpruned branches.

You can also consider the black lace sambucus, with finely cut, decorative foliage.

Our advice: Pair it with foxgloves.

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Elder: planting, growing, pruning
Family sheet
by Viviane 10 min.
Elder: planting, growing, pruning
Read article

Black Elderberry - Sambucus nigra Black Beauty in pictures

Black Elderberry - Sambucus nigra Black Beauty (Flowering) Flowering
Black Elderberry - Sambucus nigra Black Beauty (Foliage) Foliage
Black Elderberry - Sambucus nigra Black Beauty (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.50 m
Spread at maturity 2 m
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time May to June
Flower size 12 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour black

Botanical data

Genus

Sambucus

Species

nigra

Cultivar

Black Beauty Gerda Cov

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Other common names

European Elder, Black Elder, Elder, Elderberry, European Elderberry, European black Elderberry

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference78701

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Planting and care

Easy to grow, it requires little maintenance. Plant it in a sunny or semi-shaded location. It is not very demanding regarding soil, the ideal planting mix being half potting soil/half garden soil. It is very hardy. The Elderberry should be pruned back in early spring to allow for the renewal of branches, but keep a minimum of old branches as the flowering will occur on the unpruned branches.

Planting period

Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Type of use Border, Free-standing, Container, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -34°C (USDA zone 4) Show map
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil

Care

Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time February to March
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,5/5

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