How To Propagate Sambucus ‘Black Lace’, Taking Cuttings Of Sambucus, Plant Propagation

How To Propagate Sambucus ‘Black Lace’, How To Take Cuttings Of Sambucus ‘Black Lace’, Black Lace Elderberry, How To Take Cuttings Of Elderberry, Plant Propagation
As a deciduous ornamental shrub this plant is called Sambucus, but it’s common name is Elderberry. Yes you read that correctly, this shrub is a form of the common Elder that we find self seeded throughout the U.K.
For many years this has been one of the most popular garden shrubs, well this variety ‘Black Lace’ and the broader leaved form ‘Black Beauty, and I guess for good reason.
Whilst the plant does get big, 14 foot high and 10-12 foot wide, it makes the most amazing back drop for a sunny garden.
This shrub can be cut back hard to maintain a smaller sized plant but you will sacrifice some of the summer flower and the berries that follow.
Foliage is of purple colouration with green hue to the underside and the leaves are finely cut, dissected, to give the feathery look.
Flowers are vivid pink that fade to a creamy-white pink combo. They have that same sweet elderberry scent too.
Now for the important part, how to propagate the plant.
As I mentioned in the video, this variety will not come true from seed and you will just end up with lots of the plain green form instead. To get plants that are true in type you will need to take cuttings.
Tools required:
Clean and sharp secateurs or knife,
Hormone rooting compound,
Fresh compost with added soil,
Appropriately sized pots,
If you are in hotter climates then a clear bag is required.
I find that I get best results when taking cuttings in late August or early September as plants are still actively growing but the temperatures are cooler, reducing losses through the cuttings drying out.
Fill your pots with a fresh compost/loam mixture. These cuttings don’t seem to do well in plain compost.
Water the filled pots and allow them to stand for about 20-30 minutes. This allows excess water to drain through.
Cut off some pieces of plant stem from which you are going to take your cuttings. I use the semi-ripe wood that joins with the fresher softwood growth.
The semi-ripe wood still has some colour in the stem but is a purple green, and is also less floppy then the softwood.
Sambucus can be propagated from softwood cuttings, semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings but as I say I find the semi-ripe to be the easiest.
Look for where the fresh softwood growth meets the semi-ripe and then look at the next set of leaves down. Using secateurs or knife cut just below the leaves.
You may also need to cut off the top of the stem as you want to end up with a piece roughly 4-6 inches (12-18cm) in length. The wide range of length comes from the fact that Sambucus have a wide spacing between leaves.
Remove the lower sets of leaves and also cut back, by at least half, the top set of leaves.
Dip the base of the cutting into a hormone rooting compound.
In the filled pots, make a small hole in the compost mixture and insert the cuttings, base down, and firm the compost around the stem.
Cuttings can be singular in a small pot or taken as multiple cuttings in a slightly larger pot. I use 10.5cm pots for a singular cutting.
If you are in a hotter climate then at this stage you will need to place a clear plastic bag over the whole of the cuttings and pot to keep the moisture in, and humidity levels up.
Move the pots into a more shady position so as to reduce moisture evaporation from the cuttings.
At this time of year the cuttings normally start to form roots after 6 to 8 weeks.
Keep the plants in the pots until the following year when that can then be re potted in spring.
If you like what you have seen then please subscribe to my channel.

[@starstar4314]

Thanks for the vid😁..i bought mine in a pot 2yrs ago and it hadn't grown much, but I've been trying to get better at gardening this year and invested more time and getting the right pots and products and teaching myself from vids like yours. My plants seem to appreciate the effort and im starting to get little rewards... I'll av ago at doing a cutting of my black lace next. 🤞🙂

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Many thanks for taking the time to watch the video and to send a message, much appreciated. Really pleased to hear that your gardening skills and knowledge are progressing, with your plants starting to reward you for your efforts. Hope you continue to make the good progress and have success in your propagation 🌸🌼

[@lilianatosic2522]

I look forward to starting these myself. I love the smell and the look of these beautiful elderberries. They are also great in juice making or syrup making.

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi Liliana, Many thanks for watching and taking the time to message. I really love the colour contrast of the dark purple foliage with the cerise pink flowers. I haven’t tried making cordial with this type yet but it’s on my list. All the best 🌼🌸

[@kimharris4732]

great I will be taking cuttings this week, thank you for sharing

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Kim, Thanks for watching. Enjoy taking your cuttings and getting new plants for the garden 🪴

[@niccat7051]

Excellent video, I will be trying this soon!

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Many thanks for watching and for taking the time to message me. All the best with your growing 🪴🌻

[@gregoryfrichtl-bk2ut]

I live in Central IL zone 5 If I do this should I leave the rooted plants in pots or plant in the ground? For the winter months ahead, is why I am asking.

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@gregoryfrichtl-bk2ut Hi Gregory. Many thanks for watching and the message. Whilst the plant is able to cope with zone 5 I would leave the rooted cuttings in pots to allow you to provide some protection if required. Hope this helps you 🌼🪴

[@karenjohns9837]

Good, clear instructions, thanks.

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to message, much appreciated. Hopefully this means you are trying your hand at propagation. Good luck, not that you will need it.

[@wildcatgrowl]

I propagated my cuttings in water and recently moved them to soil pots. The leaves are bleaching not sure if i should trim the leaves or not.

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi Jamie, Many thanks for watching and your message. Just leave the leaves on at this stage. They will still be allowing the plant to photosynthesise to help the shoot to produce roots and new shoots. At the point where the plant no longer needs the leaves or when it goes into autumn dormancy it will drop leaf anyway. It’s great that you have managed to get a few more plants on the go. Enjoy your gardening 🌸

[@SarahSmith-nr2wj]

Thanks, just the info i needed. Will the soft cuttings root too?

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi Sarah. Thanks for watching. Soft wood cuttings can be rooted but they tend to be more problematic. Most of the time the soft wood cuttings lose moisture too quickly and die. I have taken soft wood cuttings by sitting just in water but still not great success rates. Semi-ripe cuttings are always much better. Try both and see how you get on and the differences. All the best 🌸🪴

[@Divinemessages69]

Thanks for the video instruction, I have a fairly big one but it's not in the right spot, would I be able to take cuttings now late October still? What is your advice on this please? I am in South Yorkshire UK thanks!

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi and thanks for watching the video and your message. You are pretty late in terms of taking cuttings as the plant is going into a dormant stage but it’s still worth a try. Sambucus do root easily so you might be lucky. Just make sure that the cuttings don’t get too wet, and maybe place them in a more sheltered position given where you are located. Enjoy your weekend 🌼

[@susannaylor451]

Hi, I only bought my black lace this year so it's only about 2 foot high. Can I still take cutting from it?

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@susannaylor451 Hi Susan. Many thanks for messaging. Yes you can take this year and actually cutting the stems back will encourage the plant to establish quicker. All the best with your cuttings and gardening 🌼🌸

[@susannaylor451]

@@diyhomeandgardening thank you. I love your videos easy to understand and follow. Fingers crossed my cuttings take 🤞😊

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@susannaylor451 many thanks for watching and the kind comments, glad you find the videos helpful. If you need any help feel free to message here or on instagram, I’m under the same name. 🌸

[@susannaylor451]

@diyhomeandgardening Hi, I took my cuttings on 10/9 but leaves have started drooping, is this supposed to happen?

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@susannaylor451 Hi Susan. Did you remove many leaves or keep all of them on? If the plants are in a warm place, or air temperatures are higher, then the leaves will droop or drop to reduce evaporation from the plants/cuttings. I try to place the cuttings in a shaded position until they root to minimise evaporation. Hope this helps 🌼

[@sarahrhi82]

Hi thanks for the video, I know you said Sept is best for cuttings but would it be possible May, June time?

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi Sarah. Thanks for watching and your message. You can definitely take cuttings in June/July time, albeit they will be from semi-ripe wood. They are the stems that have started to fade from the purple colour to a more grey-green colour, with the stem feeling more firm and less bendy than the fresh growth. Keep the cuttings in a more shaded position and make sure they don’t dry out. Hope this helps you 🌸

[@sarahrhi82]

@@diyhomeandgardening many thanks! I'll give it a go! 🌿🌸

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@sarahrhi82 no problem 🌻

[@aimlessnow]

Hubby mowed down half my plant😢. Only planted it last spring. Broke the main branch. I will try to propogate the broken pieces. I'd there anything I should do for the main limb to keep it from getting disese? Tia

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@aimlessnow he’s obviously a keen gardener 🤣 Sambucus are pretty tough so it should be fine. If branches are broken then cut them down to just above a set of healthy leaves. Plenty of cutting material for you to play with. Good luck with your garden🌸

[@hayleykiragsd855]

What do you do with the cuttings over winter? Are they left outside? Thanks 😊

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi Hayley. Thanks for watching and taking the time to message. I do just leave the cuttings outside during the winter period, albeit moving the cuttings closer to the house or in a coldframe if the weather looks particularly bad. These cuttings won’t need heat though. Hope that helps you 🌺

[@hayleykiragsd855]

@@diyhomeandgardening that’s great …. Thanks for your speedy reply 👍🏼 I did 4 cuttings in august they coming along fine…good video by the way thanks again 👍🏼😊

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@hayleykiragsd855 No problem, glad you have had good results. All the best, Ian

[@thomasfallon6656]

Is September in your area fall? Thanks for the video 😀

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi. Thanks for the message and for taking the time to watch the video. Yes, September is Autumn/Fall for us in the U.K. Hopefully you are preparing to take some of your own cuttings so good luck.

[@thomasfallon6656]

@@diyhomeandgardening I’ve taken them in the spring and failed. It’s weird because I can take my John’s elderberry and root them in straight water. The black variety failed using the same technique. I did take two air layers this spring which both rooted successfully. I will take some semi hardwood this fall and try your technique. I’m in 7b so September should be a good time here too. Thanks again.

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Cuttings from semi ripe wood do work much better than when using soft wood. Soft wood cuttings just tend to go limp and rot when I take them. Always good to experiment though.

[@ktcooki276]

Hi, thanks. Can you just leave these cuttings out over winter too then? (If I take the cuttings now). Ta!

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Thanks for asking. Yes, the cuttings will be fine left out. Honestly, my smaller cuttings were left outside in the 9cm size pots over winter and popped into leaf no problem. Sambucus is as tough as they come.

[@ktcooki276]

Cheers

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@ktcooki276 no problem.

[@ktcooki276]

to take cuttings and see I was already here almost a bloody year ago but I never did it diddle I Ahaha kicking myself now because I could have had year old saplings now lol hey ho gotta get going nowUgh just came to learn how 5

[@ktcooki276]

Oops my stupid tablet split my comment into two parts lol hopefully it still makes sense

[@thesum3312]

Thank you!!!!!

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@thesum3312 No problem at all. Thanks for watching 🪴🌼

[@boddahdidit]

Cuttings from my sambucas have grown, but as common elder with green leaves....will they turn black over time?

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Thanks for the message. 2 things, just to double check. Did you definitely take cuttings from the purple leaved variety. Have you got the plant in full sun as if the plant is in a shady position the leaves will lose their purple colour.

[@boddahdidit]

@@diyhomeandgardening definitely the purple variety, I have a huge one in my garden. I took the cutting in autumn and they rooted over winter, not had much sun yet, here in Ireland, I'll give them a few weeks, but even the leaf shapes are different to the purple variety I have. First time trying to propogate them so wasn't sure if that's normal. Will put them in the sunnust spot I have and see how they go. Thanks

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@boddahdidit. If they don’t colour up then the cutting has reverted back to plain form. You can take more cuttings now still.

[@boddahdidit]

@@diyhomeandgardening thanks so much 👍

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@boddahdidit. No problem. Good luck with growing more. Generally it roots like a weed.

[@lindawashington500]

I so much appreciate your information! I live in the Texas panhandle and have a gorgeous Black Lace Sambucus that I want to plant in other areas.🎉🎉

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Linda. Glad that the information has helped you and many thanks for your message and support. Happy growing 🌸🌼

[@gucci6925]

Can I start cuttings now June?

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi. Yes you could start cuttings in June but you need to make sure you use shoots without flowers on. Hope this helps 🪴🌸

[@gucci6925]

Super thanks 👍😀

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@gucci6925 oh and make sure to keep the cuttings on the moist side but not wet. Hope your cuttings do well 🌼

[@carter23-nn4bq]

those seedlings may turn purple if you let them grow out. i had weed that turned purple after maturing a bit

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi. Many thanks for the message and for watching. If you are taking cuttings then the new plants will genetically be identical to the main plant. If grown from seeds then the genetics are different and will generally revert back to being of green colouration. Hope this helps you 🌸🪴

[@carter23-nn4bq]

@@diyhomeandgardening thank you

[@15heartz]

What's edible raw or cooked?

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi and thanks for the message and watching the video. Cook the berries to make cordial or for dying purposes.

[@15heartz]

@@diyhomeandgardening Thanks, just getting ready for wilderness no smart cities.

[@diyhomeandgardening]

@@15heartz Happy gardening 🌺

[@indianajo812]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@diyhomeandgardening]

No problem. Thanks for taking the time to send a message. All the best 🌸

[@SONICQUA]

Can you take cuttings now, June?

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Hi and thanks for watching and your message. You can definitely take cuttings in June time, albeit they will be from semi-ripe wood. They are the stems that have started to fade from the purple colour to a more grey-green colour, with the stem feeling more firm and less bendy than the fresh growth. Keep the cuttings in a more shaded position and make sure they don’t dry out. Hope this helps you 🌸

[@obsessedwithlawnoddswithgr2092]

isn't this plant patented.

[@diyhomeandgardening]

Thanks for watching and your question. Sambucus black lace most probably is still under the royalties scheme, plant breeders royalties, but there is no way to actually check. As the plant is not being propagated for the purpose of sale then pbr’s don’t matter. Happy propagating for yourself or to give away. 🌸

[@obsessedwithlawnoddswithgr2092]

@@diyhomeandgardening ty for the fast reply. good to know.