Black Beauty® Elderberry
Your Plants are Guaranteed
Your Plants are Guaranteed
Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Limited Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If not, just call us at (704) 443-8256.
Free Shipping on All Orders
Free Shipping on All Orders
Free shipping on all orders. Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!
How We Ship Your Plants
Ordering live plants online should feel exciting, not stressful! We only ship healthy, well-rooted trees and plants!
Beware- not all plant nurseries are the same! Others can cut corners to save money:
- We never ship bareroot plants
- We never cut roots to fit into a small box
- We always ship plants with healthy, developed roots so they establish faster at your home
- We focus on plant health first- not minimizing shipping costs
A strong root system is the foundation for long-term success, and we believe your plant should arrive ready to thrive- not struggling to recover from shortcuts.
How we Select Your Plants
Once you place your order, our nursery team selects your plant and inspects it to make sure it meets our quality standards. Every plant we ship is chosen for:
- Strong health and vibrant foliage
- A well-developed root system
- Correct sizing based on your order
We take pride in sending plants that are ready to succeed when they arrive at your home. We try our best to exceed your expectations!
Once your plants are selected, we give them a drink of water before their journey. Then, we wrap each plant's roots up in a plastic bag, so that they do not dry out during shipping.
Carefully Packed & Protected
Live plants can’t be packed like ordinary boxes, so we do it differently.
Your plant is carefully secured inside a strong shipping box to protect it while traveling. Packaging may include:
- Support materials for stability
- Protection around the pot and roots
- Reinforced boxing for added protection
For larger trees, we use oversize boxes designed to safely accommodate the size and structure of your plant during shipping.
Sometimes, you will receive multiple plants inside a box. This is helpful because it can evenly distribute the weight throughout the box, which helps keeps the plants safe and secure throughout delivery.
Fast & Reliable with FedEx
Most Nationwide Plants orders ship with FedEx. Over the years, we’ve found FedEx to be the best carrier for live plants, especially larger items, because:
- They deliver quickest across the country
- They are the most gentle with live plants
- Faster transit means less plant stress
Once your order ships, we will email you tracking information so you can follow your delivery from our nursery to your doorstep.
We ship Monday through Friday. Most orders ship the next business day, unless you request a custom shipping date.
Multiple Nursery Locations
We ship from multiple locations across the country, including both the East Coast and West Coast. This allows us to:
- Deliver faster in more regions
- Reduce time in transit for your plants
- Ship large items more efficiently
How We Measure Your Trees
We measure tree height from the soil line, not including the pot.
That means when you order a 5-6 ft. tree, you’re getting a tree that is 5-6 ft. tall above the soil, not “including the container.” This gives you a good idea of what to expect when your trees arrive, and what they will look like when they are in the ground.
After Your Plants Arrive
It’s completely normal for a plant to look slightly different after shipping. Your plant has been traveling in a box, so you may notice:
- Minor leaf drop
- Soil that shifted slightly in the pot
- Temporary drooping from being in a darker environment
In most cases, your plant perks up quickly once it’s unboxed, watered (if needed), and placed in the proper environment.
Unboxing Your Plants
When your plants arrive, we recommend:
-
Open carefully (avoid cutting into foliage)
-
Remove all packing materials
-
Check soil moisture (If the soil feels dry, give it a thorough watering)
-
Let the plant recover (Give it a little fresh air after shipping)
If you ever have questions or concerns, we’re happy to help!
Our 30-Day Plant Promise
We stand behind every order we ship with our 30-Day Plant Promise.
If your plant dies within 30 days of delivery, we will replace it or refund it. We’ve found that if there are ever issues, they typically show up in the first 30 days- so this guarantee gives our customers real peace of mind.
If anything doesn’t look right, contact us and we’ll help you troubleshoot quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ship bare-root plants?
No. We ship in soil with an established root system for the best success after delivery.
How fast will my order ship?
Most orders ship the next business day, unless you request a custom ship date.
Will my plant survive shipping?
Yes. Plants are resilient when packed correctly and shipped quickly. Our process is designed to protect your plant throughout transit.
What if my plant arrives droopy?
This is usually temporary from being in a dark box. Unbox promptly, check moisture, and allow time to adjust. If you’re concerned, reach out—we’re here to help.
Want Bigger Plants?
|
The Black Beauty® Elderberry thrives in Zones 4-7 
If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Black Beauty® Elderberry. |
||
| Your Growing Zone | ||
| Recommended Zones | 4-7 | |
| Mature Height | 8-12 ft. | |
| Mature Width | 8-12 ft. | |
| Cannot Ship To | CA | |
| Sunlight | Full to Partial Sun | |
| Botanical Name | Sambucus nigra 'Gerda' | |
|
The Black Beauty® Elderberry thrives in Zones 4-7
If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Black Beauty® Elderberry. |
|
| Your Growing Zone | |
| Recommended Zones | 4-7 |
| Mature Height | 8-12 ft. |
| Mature Width | 8-12 ft. |
| Cannot Ship To | CA |
| Sunlight | Full to Partial Sun |
| Botanical Name | Sambucus nigra 'Gerda' |
Description
Description
Black Beauty® Elderberry: Dark Purple Foliage, Pink Flowers, and Edible Berries
Add bold color and multi-season interest to your landscape with Black Beauty® Elderberry. This eye-catching shrub has deep purple-black foliage that stays rich and colorful from spring through fall.
In early summer, large clusters of soft pink flowers appear above the dark leaves. The blooms have a light, sweet fragrance and create a beautiful contrast that makes this shrub stand out in garden beds, borders, and privacy plantings.
Why You'll Love Black Beauty® Elderberry
Bold Purple-Black Foliage: Dark leaves create strong color and contrast all season long.
Fragrant Pink Flowers: Large flower clusters bloom in early summer and add soft color against the dark foliage.
Edible Berries With a Pollinator: Black Beauty® can produce berries when planted near a compatible elderberry variety.
Great for Privacy: Its full growth makes it useful for hedges, screens, and larger landscape borders.
Tough and Adaptable: Black Beauty® grows well in a wide range of soil conditions.
Multi-Season Interest: Enjoy colorful foliage, flowers, berries, and fall appeal from one hardworking shrub.
Deep Purple-Black Foliage All Season
The standout feature of Black Beauty® Elderberry is its rich, dark foliage. The leaves stay purple-black through the growing season and give the shrub a dramatic look.
This dark color pairs especially well with green, silver, gold, and brightly flowering plants.
Large Pink Flowers in Early Summer
In early summer, oversized clusters of pink flowers appear above the dark foliage.
The blooms have a light, sweet anise-like fragrance and add another layer of color before the berries begin to form.
Edible Berries With the Right Pollinator
Black Beauty® Elderberry needs a compatible elderberry nearby for good fruit production.
Suitable pollinators can include Black Lace®, Instant Karma®, or Laced-Up® Elderberry. Planting one nearby can help improve pollination and berry set.
Where to Plant Black Beauty® Elderberry
Specimen Plantings: Use one shrub as a bold focal point where the dark foliage can stand out.
Mixed Borders: Pair it with flowering shrubs, perennials, and lighter-colored foliage for strong contrast.
Privacy Screens: Plant several together to create a full, colorful screen.
Hedges: Use its dense growth to form an informal flowering hedge.
Large Containers: Young plants can be grown in large pots on patios and decks before being moved into the landscape.
Black Beauty® Elderberry Sun and Soil Needs
Sunlight: Grow Black Beauty® Elderberry in full sun to partial shade. More sun usually helps bring out the deepest foliage color.
Soil: This adaptable shrub can grow in many soil types, but well-drained soil is best.
Watering: Water regularly while the plant is becoming established. Give extra water during long periods of hot, dry weather.
Great for Colorful Privacy Plantings
Black Beauty® Elderberry is a strong choice when you want privacy without relying only on green foliage.
Its dark leaves, pink flowers, and full growth create a screen that is both useful and decorative.
Easy-Care Color for Mixed Landscapes
Black Beauty® is tough and adaptable, making it easy to use in many garden styles.
Plant it with bright flowering plants, ornamental grasses, silver foliage, or evergreens to create layers of color and texture.
Bold Foliage With Flowers and Fruit
If you want a shrub with purple-black foliage, fragrant pink flowers, edible berries with a pollinator, adaptable growth, and strong landscape impact, Black Beauty® Elderberry is an excellent choice.
Plant Black Beauty® Elderberry and enjoy dramatic color, fragrant blooms, and multi-season beauty from spring through fall.