It is a popular ornamental shrub for landscaping but not the best choice if the goal is edible berries.
The plant also produces pretty, light-pink, fragrant (lemon-scented) flowers, which appear in flat-topped clusters.
These flowers produce richly black, glossy berries by autumn.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
At the southern end of its range, it can be planted in spring or fall.
Elderberry shrubs are generally planted as container-grown nursery plants or balled-and-burlapped plants in fall or early spring.
Elderberries are fast-growing shrubs, often reaching full size and producing berries in their first year.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
This plant is moderately toxic to people and pets.
At the southern end of its range, it will benefit from some afternoon shade.
It prefers slightly acidic soil but usually grows adequately in neutral soil.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist.
Temperature and Humidity
Black Lace elderberry prefers warm temperate climates and humidity.
They are a fairly hardy plant and cold tolerant.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Fertilizer
Feed Black Lace elderberry with abalanced fertilizeronce in spring and once in summer.
Pruning this shrub will keep it vigorous, attractive, and reduce its spread.
As the woody stems of the plant get older, they become weaker and less attractive.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Removing these older stems will direct more energy into the newer, more attractive stems.
Like other varieties, Black Lace elderberry canspread via suckers.
Prune out the suckers when you find them if you want to keep the plant from spreading.
But be sure that the plant you are propagating is not trademarkedmany varieties are.
Remove this mulch when new growth begins in the spring.
Neem oil is a good choice for addressing infestations of these insects.
Affected plant parts should be removed and destroyed, especially as part of winter preparation.
Bloom Months
Black Lace elderberry typically blooms in early June to July.
What Do Black Lace Elderberry’s Flowers Look and Smell Like?
As its name describes, Black Lace elderberry produces lacy black foliage and pink flower clusters.
The plant gives off a sweet anise scent.
Elderberries have relatively weak wood, and heavy snow can sometimes badly damage them.
Shaking off snow can prevent this damage.
Start by cutting the plant down to within a few inches of ground level.
When the foliage dies back fully, dig up the roots completely.
If small bits of remaining root sprout up again, repeat the procedure.
Sambucus nigra.North Carolina State Extension.
Planting Elderberry Plants.Stark Bros.
