Common elder

One of a number of ornamental varieties bred from our native elder, 'Black Lace' makes a striking plant for the back of the border. It has very finely cut, almost black foliage, which is the perfect foil to the pink-flushed blooms. It will grow almost anywhere, including difficult conditions such as waterlogged or very chalky ground. In autumn, leaves turn rich red. To produce the best coloured leaves, prune plants back to ground level every year in early spring.