What do you plant in the garden when you really want a laceleaf maple but garden in an area with harsh conditions? Proven Winners has the answer for you. They tinkered with Elderberry and came up with a very marketable plant named Black Lace Sambucus, Sambucus nigra 'Eva'. It has been named as one of Proven Winners' ColorChoice Flowering Shrubs.
Black Lace has finely cut foliage. The leaves emerge green and change to a deep purple black color. In addition to great foliage, Black Lace has large pink flower clusters in the spring. It will work as a replacement for laceleaf maples in sunny spots in the garden. Black Lace is cold hardy in zone 4. Left alone, it will mature to 6-8'. Or, Black Lace can be pruned for a more formal appearance.
Although Black Lace can be used as a hedge or a screen, it can best be appreciated when planted as a specimen in the garden. Some beautiful companion plants include Blushing Knockout Rose, Tor Spirea and Blue Carpet Veronica.
Black Lace Sambucus is a good addition for an edible garden. The fruit can be made into wine and jam.
Although the wind keeps blowing, my newly planted laceleaf maple is hanging in there. I'll have to add the Black Lace Sambucus to my garden plan and list for the backyard. This is a list that just keeps getting longer and longer!
Proven Winners plants are easy to spot at the garden center. Black Lace is in a white container with the Proven Winners logo on the side.
The Black Lace Sambucus photograph is courtesy of Proven Winners, www.provenwinners.com.
© Susan Mertz, June 2006. All rights reserved.
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