Sambucus nigra Black Tower™ ('Eiffel 1' PP23633)
Overview
Uses: Specimen, screens, mixed borders, wildlife habitat, edible landscaping.
Benefits: Strongly upright, columnar habit provides vertical drama in a narrow footprint. Intense burgundy-black foliage creates striking contrast with neighboring plants throughout the growing season. Two-toned pink flower clusters in early summer give way to dark berries that attract songbirds in fall.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Columnar, Upright — narrow vertical form with multiple stems.
Bloom Color: Pink
Foliage Color: Burgundy, Purple
Mature Height: 6–8 feet
Mature Width: 3–4 feet
Bloom Season: Early summer
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Black Tower™ Elderberry commands attention with a combination that no other shrub in its size class can match: intensely dark, near-black foliage on a strongly vertical, columnar form. The deep burgundy-purple leaves emerge with a soft green flush in spring before darkening dramatically as the season progresses, creating a bold architectural presence that anchors mixed borders and specimen plantings.
In early summer, flat-topped clusters of two-toned pink flowers appear at the branch tips, standing out vividly against the dark foliage. These give way to clusters of dark purple-black berries in fall that are eagerly consumed by songbirds. While the berries are edible when properly prepared, they are most valuable in the landscape as a wildlife food source.
The columnar growth habit sets Black Tower™ apart from other ornamental elderberry varieties like Black Lace® and Black Beauty®, which spread to equal width. At just 3 to 4 feet wide, Black Tower™ fits into narrow spaces, along fence lines, and in small gardens where a wider shrub would overwhelm the planting.
Care
Black Tower™ Elderberry Care
Plant Black Tower™ in full sun for the deepest foliage color. Partial shade is tolerated but may result in less intense purple tones. This elderberry adapts to a wide range of soil types and prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained conditions. It tolerates occasional wet soils and moderate drought once established.
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, maintain consistent moisture for best performance. A layer of organic mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. A spring application of slow release fertilizer supports vigorous growth and strong foliage color.
Black Tower™ can be pruned hard in late winter or early spring to rejuvenate dense foliage growth and maintain a tidy columnar form. Left unpruned, it may develop a more open habit over time. The plant blooms on new wood and recovers quickly from hard pruning. For berry production, plant a different Sambucus nigra cultivar within 50 feet to ensure cross-pollination.
Size
What Size is the Black Tower™ Elderberry for Sale Online?
Our Black Tower™ Elderberry ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Black Tower™ Elderberry Grow?
Black Tower™ reaches 6 to 8 feet tall with a narrow spread of just 3 to 4 feet, maintaining its distinctive columnar silhouette.
Additional Information
What makes Black Tower™ different from other dark-leaf elderberries?
Black Tower™ shares the deep purple-black foliage of varieties like Black Lace® and Black Beauty® but grows in a distinctly columnar, upright form rather than spreading to equal height and width. This narrow habit makes it suited to tight spaces and vertical accents where a 6-to-8-foot-wide shrub would not fit.
Is Black Tower™ Elderberry deer resistant?
Yes. Elderberries are generally unpalatable to deer, and Black Tower™ is considered deer resistant. It is a reliable option for landscapes with browsing pressure. Browse our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens collection for more options.
Are the berries edible?
The berries of Sambucus nigra are edible when cooked but should not be consumed raw, as uncooked elderberries and other plant parts contain compounds that can cause digestive upset. In the landscape, the berries serve primarily as a food source for songbirds. For maximum berry production, plant a compatible pollinator variety within 50 feet. Browse our Shrubs & Bushes collection for companion options.
Does Black Tower™ need to be pruned?
Annual hard pruning in late winter or early spring is recommended to promote dense, vigorous foliage and maintain the compact columnar form. Without pruning, the plant may develop a more open, straggly habit over time. Elderberry blooms on new wood, so spring pruning does not sacrifice flowers.
