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Black Tower Elderberry

Sambucus nigra 'Eiffel 1'

Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in May 2016 showing blooms at 80% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.
Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in May 2016 showing blooms at 80% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.

Summary

This is a striking, columnar form of elderberry with very dark foliage. Although it bloomed in May, this was not a main feature of the plant in our trials. Irrigation treatments had no significant effect on performance of this plant; plants irrigated only twice all summer performed as well as those on the most frequent treatment (Table 16). There were also no significant differences in growth between treatments. All plants were cut down low to buds in early March, beginning the growing season around 1 foot high and attaining an average height of 65.8” (167.2cm) and average width of 47.2” (120cm). This is the recommended maintenance practice for this plant to rejuvenate dense leaf growth and prevent a straggly habit from developing. By September, all treatments’ foliage showed lacewing damage and edge burn, especially on lower leaves, causing appearance to decline below acceptable levels. This might be tolerable at the back of a mixed perennial border, but was unattractive at close range.

Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in September on 80% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.
Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in September on 80% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.

Basic Info

Submitted by: Ball Ornamentals
Trial Exposure: Sun
Year evaluated: 2016
Height & Width
(after 2 years):
65.8" x 47.2" - UC Davis
Reported Height & Width
(at maturity):
6-8' x 3-4'
WUCOLS plant type: S
Water Needs & WUCOLS Region:
Low - Region 2 
Mean Overall 
Appearance rating:
(1-5 Scale, 5 is highest)
3.6 - UC Davis 
Flowering Months
May - UC Davis

Growth and Quality Data

Click Here for Complete Data Set

Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in May 2016 showing buds at 40% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.
Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in May 2016 showing buds at 40% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.

Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in September on 20% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.
Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in September on 20% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.

Emerging foliage of Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in April 2016 after March pruning. Photo: SK Reid.
Emerging foliage of Sambucus ‘Black Tower’ in April 2016 after March pruning. Photo: SK Reid.