Sambucus nigra ‘Laced Up’ – A Sleek, Upright Elder with Dramatic Foliage

The Sambucus nigra ‘Laced Up’ is a unique and modern variety of elderberry, bred for its dramatic foliage and narrow, upright habit. Unlike traditional sprawling elders, ‘Laced Up’ grows tall and slim, making it perfect for smaller gardens, courtyards, or as a striking vertical accent in mixed borders. Its finely dissected, almost black-purple leaves provide a bold, architectural statement, while soft pink flower clusters in summer add contrast and seasonal interest.

Compact, hardy, and low-maintenance, this elder offers year-round drama with a manageable size and elegant form. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners who want strong impact without the space demands of larger shrubs.

General Information

Sambucus nigra, or black elder, is a native European species valued for its flowers, foliage, and fruit. The cultivar ‘Laced Up’ is specially selected for its upright habit and ornamental foliage.

• Habit: Strongly upright, columnar shrub with dense, vertical branching.

• Height & spread: Typically grows 2.5–3m tall but stays narrow at only 60–90cm wide.

• Foliage: Deeply cut, lace-like leaves in rich black-purple, providing a dramatic, feathery texture.

• Flowers: Clusters of pale pink, lightly scented blooms appear in early to mid-summer, contrasting beautifully with the dark foliage.

• Fruit: May produce glossy black berries after flowering if not pruned; attractive to birds and wildlife.

• Position: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; leaf colour is best in sunnier spots.

• Soil: Prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil; tolerates clay, chalk, or sandy soils if not waterlogged.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK and Ireland.

• Uses: Ideal as a focal point in borders, small gardens, patios, or modern landscapes where height and drama are desired.

Its narrow growth habit makes it an excellent architectural plant, providing vertical interest without taking up too much space.

Care Guide

Sambucus nigra ‘Laced Up’ is tough, easy to grow, and requires very little maintenance once established.

Planting

• When to plant: Best planted in spring or autumn, though container plants can be planted year-round if soil is workable.

• Depth & spacing: Plant at the same depth as in the pot; space at least 1m away from other shrubs to allow vertical growth.

• Preparation: Improve soil with compost before planting to encourage strong root establishment.

Watering & Feeding

• Water regularly during the first year to establish.

• Once mature, it is fairly drought-tolerant but flowers and foliage look best with occasional watering in very dry spells.

• Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser or mulch with well-rotted compost.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Minimal pruning required – its upright habit is naturally tidy.

• If desired, prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain height or shape.

• Removing older stems every few years will encourage fresh growth and keep foliage vibrant.

• For best flower and berry displays, avoid cutting all stems down each year.

Protection

• Fully hardy and generally pest- and disease-free.

• Shelter from very strong winds, which can damage upright stems.

Why Choose Sambucus nigra ‘Laced Up’?

This contemporary elder is perfect for gardeners who want bold foliage colour and dramatic form without needing lots of space.

• Space-saving: Tall, narrow growth fits well into smaller gardens.

• Dramatic foliage: Black-purple, finely cut leaves provide striking texture.

• Seasonal interest: Pink flowers in summer, berries in autumn, and year-round colour.

• Versatile: Works as a border focal point, container feature, or architectural accent.

• Low-maintenance: Hardy, reliable, and easy to care for.

The Sambucus nigra ‘Laced Up’ is a modern twist on a traditional shrub, offering vertical elegance, dark dramatic foliage, and seasonal flowers in a compact form. Whether used as a statement in a border or as a sleek container feature, it’s guaranteed to add style and impact to any garden.

• Size
  3L

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.