Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
This is the plant for you if your looking to add sophistication to your landscape. It has deep purple foliage that keeps its color all season. In the early summer it blooms large pink flowers. If a compatible pollinator is planted nearby, the Black Beauty Elderberry produces an edible fruit. This should be your first choice when adding beauty to your landscape!
The foliage is eye catching. It is a deep purple, almost black color. The blooms appear in early summer and are a bright pink. They offer a scent that is similar to anise. The Black Beauty Elderberry produces an edible fruit when a pollinator is planted in proximity. It grows to a height and has a spread of 6 to 8 feet. This deciduous shrub makes a great border plant. It makes a stunning focal point in a container or in a landscape. It does well in mass planting or used for screen planting.
Black Beauty Elderberry Care
Important notes for your Black Beauty Elderberry: In order to bear fruit a compatible pollinator such as Black Lace, Instant Karma, or Laced up. Both shrubs will produce berries when cross pollinated.
Plant in full to part sun. The Black Beauty Elderberry requires moist soil that is well drained. This Elderberry has average water needs. It can tolerate all soil types with varying PH levels. Prune immediately after bloom season finishes. Granular fertilizer should be applied in the spring. The Black Beauty Elderberry will grow primarily green foliage in warmer climates. Its color does best in cooler climates.
Elderberry can toxic to pets if consumed.
Black Beauty Elderberry Spacing
The Black Beauty Elderberry grows to a height and spread of 6 to 8 feet. Be sure to utilize proper spacing. Spacing for your Black Beauty Elderberry should be 8 feet center on center.
Black Beauty® Elderberry Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 7 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 8-12 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 8-12 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink Flowers
- Bloom Time
- Early Summer
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Black, Purple
- Foliage Description
- Dark Purple-Black Foliage
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Black Beauty Elderberry
- Botanical Name
- Sambucus nigra 'Gerda' USPP 12,305
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Deciduous
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!