Sambucus Chocolate Marzipan

Sambucus 'Chocolate Marzipan' is a bush with bronze foliage, which is both unusual and charming. In late spring, it is covered with pinkish-white flowers gathered in fragrant and nectar-rich "plates". Highly adaptable, it tolerates most soils, even poorly drained ones, and will therefore find a place in the sun or in partial shade in all gardens, either as a standalone plant or as a hedge, except in very hot and dry climates.

Found in the wild throughout Europe, the black elderberry or elder belongs to the Adoxaceae family, which also includes viburnums. It is a large, strong, fast-growing bush with incurved branches and a rather disorderly habit. Its large leaves, sometimes exceeding 30 cm (12in), are divided into elongated leaflets that emit a slightly fetid odour when crushed. Highly ubiquitous, it is capable of growing in the most constrained situations, in rocks, in waterlogged soils in winter... only prolonged drought can harm it and it is highly pest and disease resistant. Well-established plants literally disappear under a mass of white or pinkish-white flowers in June, perfumed and gathered in large plateaux (corymbs) that can be used to make delicious fritters, jellies or herbal teas. They are also true bee magnets, making them an essential plant in gardens, and can also promote pollination in orchards. Small black fruits then form during the summer if the flowers are not removed, to the delight of birds. While old specimens can exceed 6 m (20ft) in height, in our gardens they generally reach about 3-4 m, and their lifespan is relatively short (around 15 to 25 years). Elder is a pioneer species that arrives on sparsely vegetated land and disappears when trees begin to establish themselves.

The 'Chocolate Marzipan' elder is a hybrid black elderberry with wonderful young chocolate bronze foliage. The edge of the leaves is darker than the central vein, creating a beautiful gradient effect. The flowers, on the other hand, are pinkish-white and borne on reddish-purple peduncles. This variety has a rather bushy habit and will not exceed 3 m (10ft) in height and 2 m (7ft) in width.

Highly hardy and adaptable, Sambucus 'Chocolate Marzipan' can withstand temperatures as low as -25°C (1°F). It will look its best in deep, not too poor soil, and not too dry either, although it can tolerate periods without water once established. Choose a sunny location for this variety, as the beautiful chocolate hues of the foliage are much more pronounced there than in partial shade. You can plant this elderberry as a standalone plant, but also in a country hedge, where its slightly wild and refined nature will make it a major focal point. For example, associate it with bladdernut (Staphylea colchica), Deutzia 'Mont Rose', Abelia grandiflora, 'Rouge de Zeller' hazel or Berberis darwinii, for colourful and invigorating hedges.