  Sambucus nigra. Even the jaded will drop their jaws when they lay their eyes on this new elderberry, also known as 'Eva.' The purple-black foliage is deeply imbricated and looks for all the world like a cutleaf Japanese maple. Until, that is, the massive pink flower heads appear. If you don't pick the flowers, you'll be rewarded with drooping clusters of reddish black berries for jam and wine. To 8' x 6', but can be cut back every year and grown as a perennial. Will be double that size in mild climates without pruning. Highly adaptable. Grow in full sun in cool summer areas for best foliage color and berry production, filtered sun in hot summer areas. Can take moist or dry soils. Self-fertile, but will bear most fruit if pollinated by another variety. Grown in 1-gal containers, plants about 15" tall. Zones 4-9. |