Elder Laced Up
Sambucus nigra 'Laced Up' AKA 'Straight Laced' is a striking deciduous shrub that combines intensely dark foliage with an unusually narrow, upright growth habit. Unlike traditional broad-spreading elderberries, this cultivar grows straight upwards like a pillar, making it an excellent choice for adding vertical structure to tight garden spaces or small borders. The foliage is highly detailed, featuring deeply cut, lacy leaves that emerge a dark green before quickly maturing to a rich, glossy purplish-black. In early Summer, the dark column is accented by flattened clusters of pink-tinted, lemon-scented flowers that stand out in sharp contrast against the near-black leaves. These blossoms are highly attractive to pollinators, and of course can be used to make elderflower cordial or tea. Eventually give way to small, glossy black berries that local birds feed on in Autumn, and can also be made into herbal remedies such as elderberry syrup. This tough, adaptable shrub is exceptionally well-suited to Irish gardens. It establishes quickly, tolerates urban pollution, and stands up well to wind. It requires very little maintenance to keep its narrow shape, making it a reliable, high-impact plant for modern or small-scale landscapes.
Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Prefers well-drained but tolerates damp, acid to neutral soil
Position: Full sun, partial shade
Season of Interest: Jet-black lacy foliage from Spring to Autumn; contrasting pinkish-white flower clusters in June and July.
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 6ft-10ft (2-3m) Spread: 3-4ft (1-1.2m)
