Unlike any elder you39ve seen before sambucus nigra 39linearis39 has the most delicate slender leaves and lacy texture looking like a japanese maple or bamboo from a distance the biggest giveaway is the characteristic umbels of frothy white elder flowers borne in may and june33 these are followed by clusters of black elderberries from late summer which are loved by birds and other wildlife easy to grow and tolerant of most soils this deciduous shrub has a more controlled growth