Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Onderwijsgek

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Show all photos

Sambucus nigra f. laciniata

Also Known As

Sambucus nigra 'Emerald Lace'
Sambucus nigra 'Laciniata'
Sambucus nigra Emerald Lace™
Sambucus nigra lacinata
Cutleaf Black Elderberry
Emerald Lace Fern Leaf Elder
Fern Leaf Black Elderberry

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

H: 6'-15'
W: 4'-10'

planting zones

5a-10b

More Options

Sambucus nigra f. laciniata plant details

Sambucus nigra f. laciniata is a broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge followed by black and purple fruit. Attracts birds, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Sambucus nigra f. laciniata

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: adoxaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 4 FT - 10 FT - wide, 6 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: cut leaves, hedge

GROWING CONDITIONS for Sambucus nigra f. laciniata

USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

?One of the great beauties of summer? (GS Thomas), this 6-8' shrub has leaves elegantly cut into fine lobes, large heads of small creamy flowers, ?one of the noblest sights of summer?, and shiny fruits. PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Emerald Lace' has deeply dissected dark green leaves offering both stunning texture Clusters of white flowers are followed by blackish-purple berries.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Graceful, deeply cut leaves set this elderberry apart from all others. A large multi-trunked tree or shrub, deciduous, to 8-10' tall x 6-8' wide in an elegant, vase-shaped form. Accepts coppicing. Blooms earlier in spring than others, with flattened cymes of creamy white flowers. Elderberries are, of course, edible in jams and syrups. Best in sun to part shade with supplemental summer water. Frost hardy to -30 °F, USDA zone 4.

By: Cistus Nursery

An Elderberry that looks like Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Filagree Lace' -- one of the best Japanese Maple. This small tree/shrub has the most gorgeous, cut-leaf foliage. No one passes buy it without taking a second look!

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

The texture of these deeply dissected, dark green leaves is reminiscent of a Japanese Maple. You'll love it from afar as well as close up when you see the white flowers and later black fruit contrasting with the green foliage that is best in part shade.