Demystifying the Growth Rate of the Stunning Black Lace Elderberry

Black Lace® elderberry is the trademarked commercial form of a single black elderberry cultivar, Sambucus nigra Eva. It is often used as an ornamental shrub in landscaping, but if you want to eat the berries, it’s not the best choice. These plants are very pretty, and their namesake leaves are just that—lacey (deeply lobed) and almost black (a very dark purple). The plant also produces pretty, light-pink, fragrant (lemon-scented) flowers, which appear in flat-topped clusters. These flowers produce richly black, glossy berries by autumn. The berries are high in vitamin C and can be eaten, but this European type is more often grown for its leaves. If you want to harvest elderberries to make food and drinks, the American type is better.

Elderberry shrubs are generally planted as container-grown nursery plants or balled-and-burlapped plants in fall or early spring. Elderberries are fast-growing shrubs, often reaching full size and producing berries in their first year. Elderberry is not considered invasive, but it spreads quickly and needs suckers to be cut off regularly to stop it from spreading.

With its deeply cut, dark purple foliage and pretty clusters of pinkish flowers, it’s easy to see why the Black Lace elderberry shrub is such a prized ornamental plant. But like any woody perennial, growth habits vary Understanding the typical growth rate of Black Lace elderberry helps ensure proper spacing and pruning to keep this dramatic shrub looking its best

An Overview of Black Lace Elderberry

Black Lace is a patented cultivar of the common European elderberry (Sambucus nigra). It was selected for its deeply lobed, blackish-purple leaves that resemble a Japanese maple.

In spring, it bears large corymbs of lightly fragrant pink flowers These give way to glossy black elderberries in fall. While edible, this variety is grown more for ornamental purposes than fruit production

Hardiness zones for Black Lace span 4-7 in the USDA system. Mature size is in the realm of 6-8 feet tall and wide. Growth habit is multi-stemmed. This plant performs best in full sun and moist, humusy soil.

What Constitutes Moderate Growth Rate?

Listings for Black Lace elderberry typically describe the growth rate as moderate. But what does this really mean in practical terms?

A moderate growth rate indicates the shrub gains around 1-2 feet of height annually when young. As it matures, the rate slows to less than 12 inches per year.

In ideal conditions with ample moisture and sun, new shoots may emerge and reach upwards of 3 feet that first season. But expect an average of 1-2 feet of new growth in the first 3 years.

Here are some benchmarks for the typical growth rate of Black Lace:

Year 1 – Gains 1-2 feet in height
Year 2 – Adds another 1-2 feet and begins filling out in width

Year 3 – Matures to 4-5 feet tall and wide
Year 4 – Slowing growth to 6 feet tall and wide
Year 5 – Reaches mature dimensions of 6-8 feet tall and wide

So within 3-5 years of planting, expect this moderate-growing shrub to achieve its full size. Proper placement and pruning keeps it maintained within the intended space.

Factors Affecting Growth Rate

While the above provides a rough guideline, it’s important to note that actual growth rate depends on growing conditions. Elements like soil, water, climate, and sunlight influence growth speed.

Here are some factors that enhance growth rate:

Rich, moist soil – Nutrient-dense soil with ample organic matter fuels fast growth.
Ample irrigation – Consistent moisture prevents drought stress and spurs growth.
Warm climates – Warmer zones enable faster growth during the growing season.

Full sun – Maximum sunlight exposure drives growth.
Proper fertilization – Annual feeding supplies nutrients for healthy expansion.
Good drainage – Well-draining soil prevents waterlogging that can stunt growth.

Conversely, poor growing conditions will retard the growth rate:

Insufficient water due to drought or poor drainage
Nutrient deficiencies from low soil fertility

Too much shade reducing photosynthesis
Cold winters in unsuitable growing zones
Root competition from lawn grass or weeds

If your Black Lace elderberry seems slow to establish or is growing poorly, assess its care to make improvements.

Caring for Black Lace Elderberry

To achieve an optimal growth rate from your Black Lace elderberry, provide:

Sunny spot – Choose a location with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
Organic soil – Enrich planting sites with compost or aged manure.

Moderate water – Irrigate new plants until established. Mature shrubs need 1 inch of water weekly.
Good air flow – Space plants at least 5-6 feet apart to allow air circulation.
Annual feeding – Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring and midsummer.

Timely pruning – Prune out old stems in late winter to stimulate new growth.
Mulch layer – Maintain 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to conserve moisture.

With the right care, your Black Lace elderberry will grow vigorously and achieve its full beauty faster.

Controlling the Spread of Black Lace

Left unpruned, Black Lace elderberry can spread aggressively via suckers and self-seeding. It’s important to control this spread by:

Pruning out suckers as soon as they appear in spring and summer.
Cutting off spent flower heads after blooming so seeds don’t form.
Digging out unwanted volunteer seedlings when they sprout up.

Planting in a site surrounded by pavement, lawn, or other barriers.
Growing in a large container that restricts root expansion.

Be prepared to manage suckers and offsets annually. But don’t prune severely enough to remove all older wood, as this plant blooms on last year’s growth.

Design Uses for Black Lace Elderberry

Thanks to its moderate growth habit, Black Lace elderberry fits into many garden settings. Use it for:

Accent or specimen planting
Mass planting for borders or privacy screens
Mixing into perennial beds and cottage gardens

Informal, fast-growing hedges
Wildlife gardens to attract birds and pollinators

You can also prune and train Black Lace into a small tree form. Just be sure to leave room for expansion and account for its suckering tendencies.

Enjoy the Beauty of Black Lace

With its fine-textured dark leaves and soft pink blooms, Black Lace elderberry adds drama to gardens. Now that you know its moderate growth rate, you can better site this shrub where it has room to reach its mature size. With proper care and pruning, your Black Lace will thrive and enhance your landscape for years to come.

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist. It’s not a surprise that elderberry cultivars do better in wet soil than many other plant species. In the wild, elderberry shrubs often grow near wetland areas. Make sure that your elderberry gets at least an inch of water every week, either from rain or from watering.

Pruning Black Lace® Elderberry

Most experts say that elderberries shouldn’t be pruned at all for the first two years, while the plant grows into its full shape. After this, its best to prune the shrub in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Just remember that the plant blooms and makes fruit on new growth, so don’t prune it after it starts to grow. Pruning this shrub will keep it vigorous, attractive, and reduce its spread.

As the woody stems of the plant get older, they become weaker and less attractive. Removing these older stems will direct more energy into the newer, more attractive stems.

Like other varieties, Black Lace® elderberry can spread via suckers. Prune out the suckers when you find them if you want to keep the plant from spreading. It’s possible to let the suckers grow to make an informal hedge, screen, or thicket if you don’t mind having the plant spread.

Black Lace Elderberry in Full Glory!

FAQ

Do black lace elderberry grow fast?

Elderberries are fast-growing shrubs, often reaching full size and producing berries in their first year.

How quickly does elderberry grow?

You will be amazed at the size of your elderberry bush when it is three years old! Every year in spring your elderberry bush will push up new, bright green canes and these canes often produce a single huge flower head, which will turn into a single, huge cluster of berries.

Does black elderberry spread?

Regardless of where it’s planted, elderberry is fast growing. A single plant can grow to between 5 to 12 feet high and spread up to 10 feet. Depending on pruning practices it develops into a large shrub or a small tree. Ground-level suckers sprout quickly and create a dense thicket without regular pruning.

Do black lace elderberry lose leaves in winter?

Sambucus, or elderberry, are deciduous shrubs or trees and it isn’t unusual for them to begin dropping leaves in late summer and early autumn, even before the weather cools off. Elderberry are rampant growers and benefit from annual pruning.

Does Black Lace elderberry grow pink?

Follow the label for the recommended rate of application. The color on Black Lace elderberry is best in cool climates; in hot areas, it may grow primarily green foliage. Proven Winners – Black Lace® – Elderberry – Sambucus nigra pink plant details, information and resources.

Where do Black Lace elderberries grow?

With proper care and maintenance, Black Lace® Elderberry will thrive in most locations. When selecting a location for your Black Lace® Elderberry, it’s important to consider the plant’s preferred environment. It prefers full sun or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil; however, it can tolerate some drought.

How long does Black Lace elderberry take to grow?

For best results with Black Lace® Elderberry, be sure you are providing it with ample sunlight – at least six hours per day – as well as regular waterings and occasional fertilization during the growing season. With proper care and attention, you can expect your elderberry shrubs to bear fruit within three years of planting.

Can Black Lace elderberry spread?

Like other varieties, Black Lace® elderberry can spread via suckers. Prune out the suckers when you find them if you want to keep the plant from spreading. If you do not mind having the plant spread, you have the option of allowing the suckers to grow to create an informal hedge, screen, or thicket.