Elderberry 'Laced Up'

Elderberry 'Laced Up' (Sambucus nigra 'Laced Up'). Sambucus nigra 'Laced Up' is a deciduous ornamental elderberry with a narrow columnar habit and finely cut, almost black foliage, which adds an architectural and contrasting touch to small gardens, vertical hedges, or contemporary designs. In early summer, it is covered with delicately scented pink flowers grouped in umbels, very attractive to butterflies and pollinating insects. These give way to decorative dark berries at the end of the season, useful for wildlife but not edible without cooking.

To plant elderberry 'Laced Up', choose an appropriate exposure: sun to partial shade. The recommended soil is: well-drained. Water the root ball before planting it and ensure that water can drain after planting. During establishment, check the moisture by hand before watering again. Spread mulch around the base, leaving the collar clear. Avoid systematic fertilizer applications without considering soil richness. In Quebec, choose a period when the ground is thawed and easy to work. In hot weather, monitor recently planted specimens more frequently.

Allow a width of 1.2 m (4 ft) to plan this plant's space in the garden. The indicated height of 2.75 m (9 ft) helps choose its position relative to neighboring plants. Maintain access to the base for weeding, checking moisture, and removing damaged parts. Combine this variety with plants whose light and water needs are compatible. If you are considering a container, first check that its volume and drainage are suitable for root development. Potted roots are more exposed to cold than those planted in the ground.