Black Tower Elderberry

If you’re looking for a stunning plant that also offers a link to traditional wellness, the black tower elderberry is a perfect choice. This striking variety of elderberry has been used as an ancient herbal remedy for centuries, valued for both its beauty and its historical uses.

Its deep purple-black foliage and pale pink flowers make it a garden standout. But beyond its looks, it carries a legacy of use that many gardeners find fascinating. Let’s look at how to grow this plant and understand its place in herbal history.

This particular elderberry, known botanically as Sambucus nigra ‘Black Tower’, is a dramatic cultivar. It grows in a tight, columnar shape, which is where it gets its “tower” name. It can reach up to 8 feet tall but stays relatively narrow, making it ideal for smaller spaces or as a vertical accent.

The leaves are a dark, almost black-purple color when grown in full sun. In early summer, it produces large, plate-sized clusters of soft pink flowers. These later develop into the characteristic dark purple elderberries, if conditions are right.

Why It’s Considered an Ancient Herbal Remedy

Elderberry species have a long history in folk medicine across Europe, North America, and Asia. Nearly every part of the common elderberry (Sambucus nigra) was used. The ‘Black Tower’ variety shares this species lineage, though its ornamental breeding focuses on form and color.

Historically, elderberry was used to support wellness, particularly during colder months. The berries and flowers were the primary parts used. It’s important to note that raw berries, leaves, stems, and roots contain compounds that can be upsetting to the stomach, so traditional preparations always involved careful cooking or drying.

Flowers: Often dried for teas or infused into syrups.
Berries: Almost always cooked and used in syrups, jams, or wines.
Historical Context: It appears in the writings of Hippocrates and was a staple in many European folk medicine cabinets.

Planting Your Black Tower Elderberry

Getting your plant off to a good start is crucial. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

Choose the Right Spot: Select a location with full sun to partial shade. For the darkest leaf color, aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun. The plant is adaptable to most soil types but prefers well-drained ground.
Prepare the Soil: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but just as deep. Mix some compost into the native soil to improve fertility and drainage.
Plant It: Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with your soil mixture, gently firming it down to remove air pockets.
Water Deeply: Give it a thorough watering after planting. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the stem itself.

Spacing and Companion Plants

Since ‘Black Tower’ has a columnar form, you can space plants about 3-4 feet apart if planting a screen. It pairs beautifully with plants that contrast its dark foliage.

Silver-leafed plants like lavender or artemisia.
Bright green or gold shrubs, such as spirea.
Ornamental grasses for textural difference.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

This elderberry is surprisingly low-maintenance once established. Following a few simple routines will keep it thriving.

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant but will produce better berries with consistent moisture, especially when fruiting.

Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. A layer of compost around the base each year is often sufficient and improves soil health over time.

Pruning: Pruning is simple. The best time is in late winter when the plant is dormant. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. To maintain its columnar shape, you can lightly trim the sides. For berry production, note that flowers (and thus fruit) form on second-year wood, so avoid cutting back all the new growth.

Harvesting Flowers and Berries

If you wish to harvest from your plant for personal use, timing and method are key. Always be certain of your plant’s identification and consult a reliable resource or expert before consuming any part of any plant.

Harvesting Flowers: Pick the large, flat flower clusters in late spring or early summer when they are fully open. Shake them gently to remove any insects. Use them fresh or dry them spread out on a screen in a cool, dark place.
Harvesting Berries: Berries ripen in late summer to early fall. They should be a deep, dark purple-black and hang in heavy clusters. Always cook the berries before use. A simple way to separate them from the stems is to freeze the whole cluster first, then gently rake the berries off with a fork.

Potential Pests and Problems

Elderberries are generally robust but can face a few issues. Good air circulation through proper spacing helps prevent most fungal problems like powdery mildew. Aphids might visit the new spring growth but can usually be managed with a strong spray of water from the hose. Birds love the berries, so if you want to harvest them, you may need to use netting as they begin to ripen.

Deer sometimes browse on elderberry, but the ‘Black Tower’ variety is often considered somewhat resistant due to its leaf texture and scent. Young plants may need protection until they get larger.

A Note on Safety and Modern Use

It is vital to emphasize that the ‘Black Tower’ elderberry is primarily an ornamental cultivar. While it is the same species as the elderberry used historically, its specific growth characteristics were selected for landscape appeal.

If you are interested in the herbal uses of elderberry, it is best to source products from reputable companies who use the appropriate berry varieties and ensure safety through proper preparation. You should always talk to your healthcare provider before using any herbal supplement, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

Growing the plant connects you to a long tradition, even if you simply enjoy it for its beauty. The dark foliage provides incredible contrast in the garden from spring to fall, and the structure adds winter interest. It’s a plant that truly gives back for very little effort, which is why its so popular with gardeners of all skill levels.

FAQ

Is the Black Tower elderberry edible?
The berries are technically edible only after thorough cooking, which neutralizes harmful compounds. However, as an ornamental cultivar, its berry production and flavor may not be optimized for culinary use compared to named fruit varieties. Many gardeners grow it solely for its decorative appeal.

How fast does black tower elder grow?
It has a moderate to fast growth rate, typically adding 1 to 2 feet per year under good conditions. It will reach its mature height of 6 to 8 feet within just a few seasons.

Can I use black tower elderberries to make syrup?
You can, but caution is essential. The raw berries contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause illness. They must be cooked thoroughly. For safety and best flavor, many herbalists recommend using berries from varieties specifically grown for fruit production, like ‘Haschberg’ or ‘York’.

Does it need a pollinator to get berries?
While it can set some fruit on its own, planting another elderberry variety nearby will significantly increase your berry yield through cross-pollination. Another ‘Black Tower’ or a different Sambucus nigra cultivar will work.

Is the plant invasive?
No, the ‘Black Tower’ elderberry is not considered invasive. It does not spread aggressively by runners or seed like some plants do. It maintains its clumping, columnar form reliably, which is one of its key selling points for managed landscapes.