Hardy elderberry that is usually grown for it intense purple/black foliage. Deep purple-black, finely cut foliage is accented by clusters of pink flowers in early summer. Black Lace® has a dramatic Japanese-maple-like appearance and may produce dark berries when properly pollinated. - Elderberries do well in our area. Elderberries produce more fruit when 2 or more varieties are used to cross-pollinate each other. They prefer fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Elderberries grow tall, and can be pruned to the ground to regrow or left as a bush. They can produce fruit either way.