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Black elderberry is a separate species of shrubs that belong to the genus Elderberry of the Adoxaceae family. The species has more than 4 dozen varieties. Black Beauty elderberry is one of the most popular representatives of its species. The variety appeared in Europe in 2000; it was created by Dutch scientists, using several little-known species as a basis. Over the next decade, the culture spread to the United States and Russia.
Description of black elderberry Black Beauty
Black Beauty elderberry is used as an ornamental shrub. Its compact size and elegant appearance allow it to be included in a wide variety of landscape ensembles. Based on this variety, a breeding hybrid called Black Tower was created. The difference between the shrubs is insignificant. The Black Tower variety has coral-colored buds. In addition, the leaves of the Black Tower variety turn dark red by autumn. Black Beauty flowers are creamy pink in color.
The shrub can grow up to 4 m. During the year, the growth is about 50 cm.The peculiarity of the Black Beauty elderberry lies in the unusual coloring of the leaf blades. They turn purple during flowering and darken in the fall and look almost black.
The leaves contrast with white and pink flowers. They are collected in large racemose inflorescences, reaching 10 - 15 cm in length. The aroma of Black Beauty elderflower has been compared to lemon verbena.
In autumn, fruits appear in place of flowers. These are dark purple drupes with juicy flesh. The fruits are edible and suitable for the manufacture of medicines and cosmetics due to the beneficial substances they contain.
Black Beauty black elderberry is recommended to be grown in areas of the Central climatic zone of Russia, in Moscow, the Moscow region, in the Caucasus, as well as in the southern territories of the country.
Characteristics of the variety
According to reviews from landscape designers, the crown of the Black Beauty elderberry can take various forms. The shrub is used to structure the composition of the garden; it is planted next to trees with bright green leaves to increase the contrast between them. Due to its ease of maintenance, black elderberry is recommended for growing in gardens and summer cottages.
Winter hardiness of black elderberry Black Beauty
The frost resistance of elderberry is above average. The shrub is able to tolerate sub-zero temperatures without loss. When reaching – 30 – 35 °C, Black Beauty elderberry is covered with industrial material. For this, agrofibre or polyethylene film is used. A good protection against cold weather is to cover the soil around the bushes.
Despite efforts, many young shoots may freeze. In the spring, after processing and removal of additional material, most of them are able to recover.
Productivity and fruiting
Black elderberries are a round, dark purple fruit. The pulp of the fruit becomes juicy when ripe. From 2 to 4 seeds are formed in the center.
Elderberry fruiting begins in the 3rd year of its existence. The berries begin to ripen in September. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, astringent. Up to 2 - 3 kg of berries are harvested from one bush.
If for some reason the fruits remain on the bushes until frost, they do not fall off or dry out. After freezing, elder drupes become food for birds remaining for the winter.
Area of application of fruits
The fruits of the black elderberry variety Black Beauty are used in different ways:
- for making wines and homemade alcoholic tinctures;
- as a main ingredient for jams and preserves;
- as a filling for pies and butter cookies;
- for the preparation of extracts in the pharmaceutical industry;
- as an ingredient in home cosmetology recipes;
- for the preparation of external use in folk medicine due to the properties possessed by tannins.
Berries contain essential oils, beneficial acids and organic compounds that have a beneficial effect on all systems of the human body when properly prepared.
The fruits are harvested when fully ripe from mid-September - by cutting off the whole bunches. The berries are not stored for long - 8 - 10 days in the refrigerator, and therefore they are used for processing.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is highly resistant to diseases and pests.Measures to combat the appearance of powdery mildew, gray rot or the proliferation of aphids are considered to be timely prevention. It includes:
- treatment with fungicides before spring flowering;
- mulching the soil during the summer;
- timely loosening of the soil after rains and heavy watering.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Black Beauty elderberry has obvious advantages; due to its unusual appearance, it is easy to recognize in the photo and cannot be confused with other varieties.
Advantages of the Black Beauty elderberry variety:
- suitable for any landscape designs: dilutes any deciduous ensembles, can be used to delimit areas;
- unpretentiousness: does not require special care;
- frost resistance: needs shelter only at temperatures below –35 °C;
- stable fruiting: for several decades;
- resistance to infections and pests;
- ability to tolerate drought and air pollution;
- use in pharmacology of both fruits and flowers and leaves.
The Black Beauty elderberry variety is particularly characterized by its ability to adapt to a variety of soils. The only necessary condition for adaptation is to ensure moderate soil moisture. In addition, this variety of shrubs can grow in a shaded area. To develop, it needs to receive sunlight in the first half of the day.
The description of the Black Beauty elderberry variety also indicates its disadvantages. Gardeners consider annual pruning to be one of the disadvantages. The complexity of the procedure lies in the selection of two-year branches of the lower row. This is necessary for further growth and formation of the bush.
For novice gardeners, the procedure for propagating varieties can be difficult.Cuttings are carried out under strict adherence to temperature and air humidity levels. Layers are kept in greenhouses before planting. They are planted in open ground in the 2nd year of existence, after full rooting and formation of leaves.
Planting and caring for black elderberry Black Beauty
The elderberry variety is planted in spring or autumn. Two-year-old layerings are considered good planting material. For planting, choose shaded areas on the north side. Experienced gardeners advise planting shrubs so that they are not exposed to strong winds.
The Black Beauty elderberry variety is capable of growing as a single-trunked, medium-sized tree, but gardeners and designers prefer to form a shrub from several central shoots.
Seedlings for planting are selected based on their appearance. They should be intact, have light brown bark, and have several strong branches.
The place for elderberry is prepared several weeks before planting. The soil is dug up and fertilized with organic complexes. Then the ground is covered with plastic wrap for several days. This helps normalize the acidity level of the soil: soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5 is suitable for elderberries.
The seedling is placed in the prepared hole, fertilized with potassium-phosphorus complexes, covered with soil, compacted, and watered. When planning to grow elderberry in 1 trunk, after planting, install a support and tie up the seedling.
Aftercare
Further care of the shrub includes seasonal pruning. It is carried out twice:
- spring, crown-forming pruning according to a special pattern with trimming the lower branches, removing the tops, cutting out damaged branches;
- autumn, sanitary pruning - in order to get rid of damage, dead wood and correct the formation of the crown.
When the elderberry begins to bloom and form fruits, it needs abundant watering. The weekly volume of water is 2 - 3 buckets per bush.
Fertilizers are applied at the root, following the step-by-step steps:
- Spring fertilizer — nitrogen-containing complexes.
- Summer feeding - with potassium and phosphorus.
- Autumn fertilizer - organic.
To retain moisture and protect against weed and growth, the agrotechnical method of mulching is used. The soil around the bush is covered with a layer of straw, chopped bark or sawdust.
Mulching, left for the winter, also helps protect the bush from rodents, which often attack fruit crops. Elderberry is no exception, so gardeners protect the bushes using available methods. List of defense techniques:
- whitewashing the main trunk with lime;
- installation of nets and fences;
- spraying toxic mixtures.
For wintering in regions with low temperatures, elderberries are covered in advance, before frost sets in. The bush is protected with breathable material, bending the branches to the ground. A good option for shelter from frost is tying with pine branches. This method is suitable for small young bushes.
Conclusion
Black Beauty elderberry has gained popularity among designers and gardeners due to its unusual appearance. The dark leaves of elderberry and pink-cream buds when flowering can decorate any area. For summer residents, the advantage of the variety is its ease of cultivation and the ability to independently form a crown.
