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