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Saturday 11 June 2011

Good plant #95 - Sambucus Nigra f. Porphyrophylla 'Thundercloud'



This is a tremendous elder. It has many seasons of interest. In spring its beautiful acer-like red foliage appears. This is followed by flowers starting from the the awkward May/ Early June gap and going on well into summer. It then produces dark purple fruit.

Add to this, it will grow in almost any soil and in sunny and part shaded sites. This is one great plant. In full sun you get redder leaf colour.

You can trim this as much or as little as you like. However, if left unpruned it can grow to 6ft plus and spread even more. I trim back to almost the ground in early spring.

You can take cuttings in spring and autumn.

For more good plants and gardening tips click here:http://greenshootsgardeningandhorticulture.blogspot.com/ and check out the archive at the bottom of the page

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