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Shrubs

Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Guincho Purple'

elder 'Guincho Purple'

A bushy large shrub or small tree, up to 6m high, with pinnate leaves which open green, turn dark purple in summer, and finally red in autumn. Flowerheads in early summer, of pale pink flowers on dark pink stems, are followed by black fruits in late summer and early autumn

Synonyms

Sambucus nigra 'Foliis Purpureis'
Sambucus nigra 'Folius Purpurea'
see moreSambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Purpurea'
Sambucus nigra 'Guincho Purple'
Sambucus nigra 'Purpurea'

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or North–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 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: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1; for foliage colour can also be pruning group 7

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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