It Looks Great Bazden, I love grasses, and Acers...Dee..

What is the bronze plant Bazden - is it somthing nigra?? I love it

I've just spotted it as an advert at the side of this page is it black elder?

its sambucus nigra - black lace

a variety of the Elder

Stunning plant, Brilliant colour.....Go to get one!

My sambucus nigra is tall and leggy. How did you get it to be such a lush bush?

I have S. nigra Black Lace too :)
They're tough Redjan, you can prune them and they'll grow into that lush looking plant.
They're a very fast grower !

I notice that the advice given for this plant is that you cut it down to the ground each spring. Can anyone tell me what is the growth-rate it is likely to achieve, for around mid-June please? I have just bought one and am waiting to plant it in the right spot.

Ollie, it can be cut down to the ground each year but i don't touch mine - other than to prune it to keep it in shape.
It is such a fast grower that it would make about 4 or 5' easily before you cut it back again.

Pruning encourages growth on all plants.

Looks beautiful, just like an acer, and I love your combination of planting with the stones. I'm thinking of getting a black lace but to put in a large pot. But I'm not sure if it will be happy in a pot as I read that it needs a lot of water.