I have a Black Lace Elderberry that I planted last year. The tag that came on it said I would need a Black Beauty Elderberry too, if I wanted berries. I talked to several local nurseries at the time, all of which told me their suppliers' Black Beauties had all succumbed to something that year and had none for sale. I haven't found any for pre-order this year yet, either. But I HAVE seen Black Lace described on several sites as self-fruitful, which contradicts what the tag told me. Does any one have any experience with Black Lace Elderberries? Do you know of any varieties, other than the elusive Black Beauty, that would work well as a pollenizer? Seen any Black Beauties out there for purchase this year? Thank you!
Hi Donna,
I don't have any experience with 'Black Lace', although I've been seeing it in catalogs in recent years. It is Sambucus nigra, the European species. You'll also find in some catalogs S. canadensis, which is the bluish-black-fruited species native here in North America. I could be wrong, but my general impression is that the Elderberries need a second clone of the same species in order to produce fruit (i.e., they're normally not self-compatible for pollination). If you acquire and plant a different variety of Sambucus nigra, I believe that you should be able to get fruit production. This assumes that you have the pollinating insects to do the job.
'Black Lace' is sold more for its ornamental qualities (--and, indeed, it's quite attractive), but there are also several S. nigra cultivars that have been selected for their fruit production and should be more than adequate for mutual fruit production.
It's getting a little late in the "bare-root" shipping season, but there might still be a nursery somewhere online with Sambucus nigra varieties in stock. RaintreeNursery.com carries several varieties of S. nigra selections, though I don't know whether any of them might still be in stock. [No, I wasn't paid for that Raintree suggestion.]
Good luck to you. I'm sure that it would be nice to get another one into the ground this spring to be "a year up" on things.
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