Sambucus nigra 'Witches Broom'

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Sambucus nigra 'Witches Broom'

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Kemper Code: T590

Common Name: black elder
Zone: 5 to 7
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 0.5 to 0.75 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 0.75 feet
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers
Bloom Color: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: High

Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist soils in full sun.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This black or European elderberry cultivar is a dwarf which only reaches 8" in height. Although the species is a large shrub or small tree which produces yellowish-white flowers followed by shiny, purplish-black, edible (though not particularly palatable) fruit, this cultivar is basically a non-flowering dwarf. Features compound, pinnate, dark green leaves which are unpleasantly aromatic when bruised. Semi-evergreen in warm winter areas.

Problems:

Some susceptibility to powdery mildew, leaf spot, spider mites and aphids.

Uses:

An interesting plant for the rock garden or massed as a ground cover for small areas.