Sambucus nigra Thundercloud - Black Elder

Sambucus nigra 'Thundercloud' is a bush with a branching habit, and finely cut foliage of a deep purple colour, turning black. At the end of spring, sumptuous umbels of pink-to-white flowers contrast beautifully with the dark foliage, followed by numerous clusters of edible black berries. Hardy and deciduous like all black elderberries, this variety should be exposed to the sun to express its best dark shades. Thundercloud will catch the eye every time!

Sambucus nigra Thundercloud has a branching habit and reaches 4 m (13ft) in all directions. It belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. It comes from Sambucus nigra, a wild species widespread in Europe, North Africa, and as far as Asia Minor. The Black Elderberry is an opportunistic and highly adaptable wild species, found in clearings, hedges, fallow land, coastal dunes, and even near human settlements, with which it has coexisted for millennia. It is therefore an undemanding bush and very easy to grow everywhere.

The deciduous foliage of Thundercloud Elderberry is remarkable for its finely cut leaves of a red-purple colour almost black. Note that the leaves are green when they bud. The flowering occurs in May-June in the form of long-lasting and wide pink false umbels, followed by pendulous clusters of dark purple-black fruits in late summer. These berries are highly appreciated by birds and are also edible after cooking.

Easy to grow, Thundercloud Black Elderberry can be planted in spring or autumn, in any ordinary soil which is not too poor, deep enough, and not too dry, although it tolerates periods of temporary drought in deep soil once well established. It requires little maintenance. Plant it in a sunny position for better colours, but it also tolerates a semi-shade position. It is undemanding of the soil, accepting clay, limestone, sand, and even poor soils. The ideal planting mix is half compost/half garden soil. It is very hardy. To promote flowering, prune old branches severely to rejuvenate them and shorten young branches by a third in late winter.