Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla Black Tower ('Eiffel 1'PBR)
elder [Black Tower]
an upright deciduous shrub or small tree, with foliage opening green but soon turning dark purple in a sunny position. Flat heads of musky-scented, pale pink flowers with large red anthers appear in late spring, followed by purple-black berries
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Purple | Black Purple | |
| Autumn | Purple | Black Purple | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Viburnaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, fruit/flowers edible if cooked. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten, fruit/flowers edible if cooked - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Sambucus can be herbaceous perennials, deciduous shrubs or small trees, with pinnate leaves and umbels or panicles of small creamy-white flowers followed by red, white or black berries
- Name status
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils and also thrives on extremely chalky sites. Tolerates shade, but colours best in sun
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Architectural
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Will tolerate hard pruning to restrict the size and encourage larger foliage
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and honey fungus
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