{"product_id":"black-tower-elderberry","title":"Black Tower Elderberry","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSambucus nigra\u003c\/em\u003e Black Tower™ ('Eiffel 1' PP23633)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Specimen, screens, mixed borders, wildlife habitat, edible landscaping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–8\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun to Partial Shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous Shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Columnar, Upright — narrow vertical form with multiple stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Burgundy, Purple\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–8 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–4 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Tower™ Elderberry Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e supports vigorous growth and strong foliage color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Black Tower™ Elderberry for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Black Tower™ Elderberry Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Tower™ reaches 6 to 8 feet tall with a narrow spread of just 3 to 4 feet, maintaining its distinctive columnar silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes Black Tower™ different from other dark-leaf elderberries?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Black Tower™ Elderberry deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/deer-resistant-shrubs-evergreens\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens\u003c\/a\u003e collection for more options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the berries edible?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/shrubs\"\u003eShrubs \u0026amp; Bushes\u003c\/a\u003e collection for companion options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes Black Tower™ need to be pruned?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnnual 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"3 Gallon \/ Spring 2026 Pre-Order","offer_id":46701349568674,"sku":"PN-BlkTwr-3-1yr","price":79.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/Black-Tower-Elderberry-1.jpg?v=1775466084","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/black-tower-elderberry","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}