Eiffel Tower Elderberry - Shade Garden Backbone - But Not That Dark - August 2026

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Back a few years back, I was on a real "dark foliage" kick.  I was seeking out "dark foliage" plants like Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe.  And...I ended up planting a pair of Eiffel Tower Elderberries in the backyard, under the secondary Oak tree along the south fence line.  The plant tags showed JET BLACK foliage.  The description said that the leaves emerge green and age to a dark black.  

I don't think I've gotten black foliage.  Yet.  I posted photos in October 2024 (their second growing season) and they were...well...green.  

What about now?  Below is a photo showing this pair of plants.  They're supposed to be 'upright', but mine are kind of lingering.  

Black Tower Elderberry With Green Foliage

One thing that I just revisited is this little tid-bit of maintenance.  From my original planting post:

Black Tower Elderberry is excellent for the back of the border and adds some textural drama to tight spaces. Plant in full coastal sun or partial shade in hot inland climates. Cutting it back hard to 1 to 2 feet in late winter allows it to send up dense new growth in spring.

I haven't pruned these at all.  But, now I have something to do to them this offseason.  Maybe that will get them to 'grow' a bit more.   

 

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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