Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


Sambucus nigra 'Marginata' (Black elder, European elder, Elderberry, Variegated black elder)

Sambucus nigra 'Marginata' Photo/Illustration: Allan Mandell


Be the first to rate this plant

Plant Showcase - from our advertisers


Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Sambucus nigra 'Marginata' sam-BOO-kus NY-grah Common Name: Black elder, European elder, Elderberry, Variegated black elder Genus: Sambucus
This vigorous cultivar has attractive dark green leaves with yellow margins that fade to white. In summer, it bears flattened clusters of creamy white flowers which mature in fall to glossy black fruit. Plants grow 10-20 feet tall and wide.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Sambucus is suitable for mixed or shrub borders or for naturalizing in wild areas; this variegated cultivar is effective as a specimen. Its fruits have culinary attributes when cooked, but can cause illness if eaten raw, or if the poisonous seeds are consumed.
 Care: Provide moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade. Sambucus may be pruned minimally to maintain a healthy framework, but it benefits from hard pruning to restrict its size. Cultivars such as this that are grown for their foliage may be cut back to the ground annually in late winter or early spring.
 Propagation: Take softwood cuttings in early summer.
 Problems: Powdery mildew, canker, dieback, rust, fungal leaf spots, borers, virus diseases.
Height 15 ft. to 30 ft.
Spread 15 ft. to 30 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Fast Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Attracts Birds; Attracts Butterflies; Fragrant Flowers; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage; Showy Fruit
Bloom Time Summer
Foliage Color Variegated Foliage
Flower Color White Flower
Uses , Beds and Borders, Flowering Tree, Hedge, Poisonous, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Style , Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest , Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type ,Shrubs

Plants you might also like

Sambucus nigra 'Madonna' Sambucus nigra 'Madonna'
(Black elder, European elder, Elderberry) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This choice specimen livens up the garden all season long with its stunning leaves of green splashed with gold. It bears flattened, creamy white flowers that mature into glossy black fruit. It grows more slowly than most elderberries. It makes an attractive specimen.
Rosa rugosa var. alba Rosa rugosa var. alba
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This variety has single, papery white blossoms that open from light pink buds and have contrasting yellow stamens. The heavily-scented flowers are followed by reddish-orange hips. It grows up to 6 feet high.
Rosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert' Rosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert'
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The white of this rose has a purity of color that is without equal. It produces semi-double, very fragrant flowers from spring to fall, which are sometimes followed by orange hips. It grows to 6 feet high and wide.   
Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’ Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’
(European red elder, Golden elderberry) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This choice specimen has a graceful habit with finely divided golden foliage that emerges as bronze. It is less susceptible to sun scorch than the other gold varieties. It bears creamy white flowers that mature into red fruits. 
Rosa 'Frau Dagmar Hastrup' Rosa 'Frau Dagmar Hastrup'
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This choice rose has single, gently cupped light-pink flowers that exude an intense, clove-scented perfume. It blooms in spring and sporadically throughout the season, and produces red hips. In autumn, the foliage turns deep maroon, which changes to yellow tinged with coppery highlights. It grows to 3 to 4 feet high and wide.