I got Instant Karma as a pollinator for Black Lace, and while the Black Lace grew appropriately over the last three months, Instant Karma--which supposedly has the faster growth rate--has done virtually nothing despite lots of sun, water, and care. Disappointing.
Instant Karma® Elderberry Sambucus nigra
Exposure
- Part Sun to Sun
- Sun
Flower Season
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Mature Size
Height: 6' - 8'
Spread: 6' - 8'
Height: 1.8m - 2.4m
Spread: 1.8m - 2.4m
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Details
72 - 96 Inches72 - 96 Inches72 - 96 Inches1.8m - 2.4m1.8m - 2.4m1.8m - 2.4mFeatures
This variety is no longer available from Proven Winners®. The information on this page is for reference only.
Variegated va-va-voom!
Brighten your garden with Instant Karma® elderberry. A major improvement over older variegated elderberries, Instant Karma offers neat, clean foliage of interplaying green and white. Large, lacy flower clusters appear in early summer, and if a pollinator variety (like Black Lace® or Black Beauty® elderberry) is present, you'll get a crop of purple-black fruit in autumn. This versatile plant can be grown as a small tree or large shrub - it even plays nice in a perennial garden if it is cut back each year for a handsome spray of bright foliage.
Top three reasons to grow Instant Karma® elderberry:
- Crisply variegated foliage
- Lacy white flowers in early summer
- Deer resistant
Fragrant FlowerProduces BerriesFoliage InterestDrought TolerantAttracts:BeesBirdsResists:DeerRabbitsCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:DeciduousHeight Category:TallGarden Height:72 - 96 Inches 1.8m - 2.4mSpacing:72 - 96 Inches 1.8m - 2.4mSpread:72 - 96 Inches 1.8m - 2.4mFlower Colors:WhiteFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Colors:WhiteFoliage Shade:Green with white marginHabit:UprightContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:Old WoodBloom Time:Early SummerBloom Time:Late SpringHardiness Zones:4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7bWater Category:AverageUses:Border PlantUses:Good for ScreeningUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses:Specimen or Focal PointUses Notes:PLEASE NOTE: To produce berries, you'll need a Black Lace®, Black Beauty®, or Laced Up® elderberry as a pollinator.
Maintenance Notes:Elderberries look great unpruned, but they take well to pruning too. They are best pruned after blooming, although if you are growing it primarily as a foliage plant, it can be pruned in early spring. This plant is not recommended for hot climates (zone 8 and warmer).
Like most variegated plants, occasional reversions to the original green form may occur. These should be pruned out as needed.
Fun Facts:Elderberry flowers are edible - in Europe, they dip freshly opened clusters into batter, deep fry them, and dust them with powdered sugar for a late spring treat.
Instant Karma® Sambucus nigra 'Sanivalk' USPP 28,314, Can PBRAF -
3 Reviews
5143221Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.-
Katie, 2 years ago
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Meh... It's been in the ground for over a year and struggles to look attractive. No blooms this year even though it wasn't pruned last year. The variegated foliage looks sickly from far away. Some twisted branches and unattractive leaves up close. We shall see...
Christopher, New York, United States, 3 years ago -
I bought this shrub late summer 2 years ago at a fire sale in an outdoor farmer's market that didn't take very good care of its inventory of plants. I promptly planted it in the brutal heat of a dry season and watered it 3x week with a hose at its base, hour each time. It is in a part sun place and it has grown beautifully. The variegated leaves are beautiful, it blooms, and I have it near a Black Lace Elderberry, which produces flowers and berries.
Marcia, Missouri, United States, 4 years ago
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