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Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Black Tower' (Elder 'Black Tower')
1 hour care
per year
per year
2.4m
Max height
Max height
1.2m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Black Tower'
Other names
Elder 'Black Tower', Black elder 'Black Tower', Elderberry 'Black Tower', European elder 'Black Tower', Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Eiffel 1'
Genus
Sambucus Sambucus
Variety or Cultivar
'Black Tower' _ 'Black Tower' is an upright, columnar deciduous shrub with dark stems, green when young, bearing pinnate, toothed, purple-black leaves and flattened panicles of fragrant, pink flowers in early summer followed by round, glossy, dark purple to black fruit in autumn.
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Black Tower' is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant.
Habit
Upright
Toxicity
Any part of the plant may cause discomfort if ingested. However, the berries may be consumed when cooked.
Flower
Pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-purple, Black in Spring; Dark-purple, Black in Summer; Dark-purple, Black in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Black-fly , Glasshouse red spider mite Black-fly , Glasshouse red spider mite
Verticillium wilt Verticillium wilt
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Group 7 if grown for foliage only. Will tolerate hard pruning to keep size in check.
Propagation methods
Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Black Tower' (Elder 'Black Tower') will reach a height of 2.4m and a spread of 1.2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Will tolerate most soils and aspects; ideally, grow in a moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Will tolerate partial shade but will have best foliage colour in full sun. Suitable for use as a hedge.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Black Tower'
Other names
Elder 'Black Tower', Black elder 'Black Tower', Elderberry 'Black Tower', European elder 'Black Tower', Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Eiffel 1'
Genus
Sambucus Sambucus
Variety or Cultivar
'Black Tower' _ 'Black Tower' is an upright, columnar deciduous shrub with dark stems, green when young, bearing pinnate, toothed, purple-black leaves and flattened panicles of fragrant, pink flowers in early summer followed by round, glossy, dark purple to black fruit in autumn.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant.
Habit
Upright
Toxicity
Any part of the plant may cause discomfort if ingested. However, the berries may be consumed when cooked.
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Colour
Flower
Pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-purple, Black in Spring; Dark-purple, Black in Summer; Dark-purple, Black in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Black-fly , Glasshouse red spider mite
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Group 7 if grown for foliage only. Will tolerate hard pruning to keep size in check.
Propagation methods
Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Black Tower' (Elder 'Black Tower') will reach a height of 2.4m and a spread of 1.2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Will tolerate most soils and aspects; ideally, grow in a moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Will tolerate partial shade but will have best foliage colour in full sun. Suitable for use as a hedge.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
The first ever show garden from new designer Esra Parr (Esra Parr Gardens), this vibrant, colourful garden is evocative of Aegean Holidays. This beautiful garden won a Gold medal at Hampton Court… read more
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