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Shrubs

Sambucus 'Black Cherry'

elder 'Black Cherry'

An upright, bushy, deciduous shrub with deep purple/red divided, pinnate leaves, from spring to autumn, with dark purple stem colour. Frothy panicles of tiny, scented, pink flowers in summer are followed by round, glossy, black fruit.

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral, Alkaline

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Viburnaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten - 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: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow in any moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Thrives on very chalky soil

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1, or suitable for coppicing every three to four years to restrict size and improve foliage display

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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