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Cutting sambucus nigra back

Hi everyone,

Apologies if this question has been asked a million times before! I have a Sambucus Negra Black Lace which looked a bit sad last year. These forums suggested I trim it back quite aggressively in February to about 10cm in height, and it will flourish.

The plant has already started budding, with a few small deep purple buds; have I left it too late or should I just go for it?

Posts

  • Elders are always very early to come into bud. Don't worry, it will still produce lots of new shoots when you cut it back.

  • thanks, much appreciated.

  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    As landgirl says it will be fine, the problem I have is remembering to keep it cut down it grows at a right rate. 

  • this one is in a pot on my balcony. It never grew too fast, fortunately. But it did start to look limp and lifeless last year, so fingers crossed this will give it a new lease of life.

  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    greg, I shoved a piece that had broken off into a pot and it grew, however it didn't do too well after a couple of years, I assume they are greedy feeders and I couldn't give it what was required no matter how large the pot. Eventually I had to plant it in another garden, but I made the mistake of not putting it in a sunny place and it started to revert to green rather than black. 

    Maybe consider taking a cutting from your existing one and start a new one that might look good for a few years image 

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