Sambucus nigra Laciniata - Black Elder

Sambucus nigra 'Laciniata' is an elegant ornamental variety of black elderberry with medium green deciduous foliage, finely cut, resembling parsley. It is a medium-sized bush with an open habit and reddish-brown bark. It blooms from May to June with generous creamy white terminal cymes that are nectar-rich, honey-scented, and fragrant, followed by black berries, edible once cooked. They provide an important food source for birds. With rapid growth, it is an excellent choice for creating informal hedges, mixed with other interesting shrubs, providing habitat for local wildlife. Common in the countryside, black elderberry is perfectly hardy and adapts to all types of soils, in full sun or partial shade.

Sambucus nigra 'Laciniata', also known as lacy elder, has a spreading habit and reaches 4 m (13ft) in all directions. It belongs to the family Caprifoliaceae. It is derived from Sambucus nigra, a wild species widespread in Europe, North Africa, and as far as Asia Minor. Black elderberry is an opportunistic and highly adaptable wild species, found in open woodlands, hedges, fallow lands, coastal dunes, and even near human settlements, coexisting with humans for millennia. Therefore, it is an undemanding shrub and very easy to grow anywhere.

'Laciniata' black elderberry can be planted in spring or autumn, in any ordinary soil, not too poor, deep enough, and not too dry - although it tolerates temporary periods of drought in deep soil once well established. It requires little maintenance. Plant in a sunny position for better flowering and fruiting, though it also tolerates partial shade. It is not demanding regarding soil type, accepting clay, limestone, sand, and even degraded soils. The ideal planting mix is half compost/half garden soil. It is very hardy. To promote flowering, prune the old branches back hard and cut back the young branches by one-third in late winter.