Sambucus nigra f porphyrophylla 39thundercloud39 is the perfect deciduous shrub for gardeners looking for a plant that can stand out amongst other shrubs in garden borders an ornamental elder it has the familiar clusters of scented flowers the tiny pink flowers contrast greatly with the unusual almost black foliage small shiny black berries follow later in the year and are a popular food source for garden birds the rhs have awarded this plant its award of garden merit due to its