StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: Elder

Black leaved Elderberry needs a little more sun on the leaves to bring out the colour. Sometimes this is planted as a garden ornamental shrub - but the flowers - pink-tinged - and fruit are just the same as the common, green, version. [ Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla ]

Common Elder [Sambucus nigra] - normally classed as a weed species in hedgerows. It grows very quickly, but is too often weak to be stock-proof, nor is it really long-lived. It does, however, produce flowers and berries in great profusion, so it is also know as Elderberry. The flowers make a refreshing cordial and the black berries make a passable red wine [which needs to be matured, otherwise it is very harsh]. I thought that this particular specimen was dead - as the bark was dropping off in places - and cut it back, intending to chop it down ... it wasn't, as this new growth shows !