The stunning, dark, lacy foliage of this plant is its greatest feature, and it puts on a great show from spring through the first frost. In early June, the plant is covered with lacy, flat-topped light pink flowers that can reach up to 10" across. The plant prefers full sun and can reach 6' - 8' tall and equally as wide. If left to grow naturally, it will be a fairly open and graceful but floppy shrub. Pruning once a year (right after it flowers) will keep the plant smaller with a more regular shape. I maintain mine somewhere between the two extremes - trying to balance an open, graceful form with a fairly compact size.
Black lace elderberry works great in containers, as a specimen in the garden or planted in drifts. Pair it with chartreusse foliage plants and 'hot' flower colors, like orange and hot pink, for a striking show that is sure to be a conversation starter in your Urban Garden.
