Plant Type

Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Light Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

Blue

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees, Invasive

Design Styles

Meadow

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Hedge, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Wildlife

‘Laciniata’ (synonymous with and also known as ‘Acutiloba’) grows to about 5 to 8 feet tall and wide (and wider). It has compound pinnate leaves that are deeply cut. Tiny lemon-scented white flowers appear in large flat-topped clusters in June. Flowers give way to clusters of black elderberry fruits in late summer. Fruits can be used to make jams, jellies, pie filings, and elderberry wine. Fruits are attractive to wildlife. American elder (Sambucus canadensis) and European elder (Sambucus nigra) are closely related plants. The Royal Horticultural Society currently lists American elder as Sambucus nigra var. canadensis.

Grow in medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best foliage color is in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils, but prefers moist, humusy ones. Spreads by root suckers to form colonies. Prune suckers as they appear unless naturalizing. A large number of late winter pruning options include (a) pruning out dead or weakened stems, (b) shortening one year stems or (c) cutting the entire plant back to the ground to rejuvenate. Some horticulturists recommend a hard spring pruning for maintaining best foliage and habit.