Sambucus nigra ‘Gerda’ – Black Beauty Elder

This gorgeous shrub deserves a place in every garden providing you can give it given plenty of room!  It is often seen planted in tiny beds where it will surely become a problem as it outgrows its space, but as you can see from the photo it makes a stunning plant.  Dark foliage turns from green-purple to purple-black as it ages and masses of tiny, rich-pink flower clusters cover the plant in mid-summer.  These form dark purple berries which are a rich source of food for birds and wildlife and can be used to make wine and cordial.