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Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda' (Elder 'Gerda')
1 hour care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda'
Other names
Black elder 'Black Beauty', Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty', Sambucus nigra 'Gerda', Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Black Beauty', Elder 'Gerda', Black elder 'Gerda'
Genus
Sambucus Sambucus
Variety or Cultivar
'Gerda' _ 'Gerda' is an upright, deciduous shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves divided into three to seven, ovate to elliptic, dark purple-black leaflets and flattened panicles of tiny, aromatic, pink flowers in summer followed by spherical, glossy, black fruit.
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda' is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are scented.
Habit
Upright
Toxicity
Any part of the plant may cause discomfort if ingested. However, the berries may be consumed when cooked.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Pink in Summer
Foliage
Black, Dark-purple 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. Tolerates hard pruning to control size.
Propagation methods
Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda' (Elder 'Gerda') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including extremely chalky sites.
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 'Gerda'
Other names
Black elder 'Black Beauty', Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty', Sambucus nigra 'Gerda', Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Black Beauty', Elder 'Gerda', Black elder 'Gerda'
Genus
Sambucus Sambucus
Variety or Cultivar
'Gerda' _ 'Gerda' is an upright, deciduous shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves divided into three to seven, ovate to elliptic, dark purple-black leaflets and flattened panicles of tiny, aromatic, pink flowers in summer followed by spherical, glossy, black fruit.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are scented.
Habit
Upright
Toxicity
Any part of the plant may cause discomfort if ingested. However, the berries may be consumed when cooked.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Pink in Summer
Foliage
Black, Dark-purple 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. Tolerates hard pruning to control size.
Propagation methods
Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda' (Elder 'Gerda') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including extremely chalky sites.
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, Zone 4
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Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda'
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda' (Elder 'Gerda')
Beautiful flowers end May 2016
(17/06/2010)
Sambucus July 14
(07/10/2010)
(09/10/2011)
| 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... |
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