Garden shrub ID

[Tursiops2]

Anybody got an idea what this is? It looks like a "purple-leaved" Elder (if there is such a variety - I've never come across it before). Apologies for the rubbish photo - I'll get a better one next week if necessary.


Ta, T2

[Hedge Witch]

That would be my guess, T2 There is definitely such a thing.

[Cheryl]

Yes I think it probably is. I have a dark purple leaved "Sambucus something or other" in my garden - nowhere as big as that though

[Tursiops2]

Thanks HW and Cheryl - done a bit of research now, appears to be Sambucus nigra "Black Beauty". Very striking plant.
T2

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Thanks HW and Cheryl - done a bit of research now, appears to be Sambucus nigra "Black Beauty". Very striking plant.
T2

Every new garden that I have had I have bought a "black Lace" which is similar but with more dissect leaves - stunning - though a much slower grower than standard Elder.

[marvin]

hi

they root pretty easily from cuttings if you want to propagate your own.

tim

[Jez]

If it's not black Lace then I guess it must be black beauty. Try googling it!

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Cheryl

Yes I think it probably is. I have a dark purple leaved "Sambucus something or other" in my garden - nowhere as big as that though

Cheryl - according to my research, it should be cut down to ground level in the spring to promote flowering (a bit like Buddleia, I suppose). This one obviously hasn't been touched for years, but it's in a garden I'm about to take responsibility for, so that's a little job for next year
T2

[big bill]

Hello T2 I think I have the same shrub in my garden here are a couple of images of it


its Sambucus nigra - Black Lace can grow upto 10ft high and 10ft wide it is quite easy to control ,I pruned mine back at the end of the growing season to about 18" from ground ready for next years new growth,hope this helps
There is another variation in it ,it is in the leaf flower head is the same and as the colour ,but have lost the name tag for this specis

[Cheryl]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Cheryl - according to my research, it should be cut down to ground level in the spring to promote flowering (a bit like Buddleia, I suppose). This one obviously hasn't been touched for years, but it's in a garden I'm about to take responsibility for, so that's a little job for next year
T2

Oh that's where I've been going wrong I've only ever given it a light pruning - the bottom half is quite bushy and has had lots of flowers this year and then the central stem is quite bare with a few flowers at the top - I shall prune it hard back next spring - thanks for the info