The confusion with the height is because some sites give a reduced height on the assumption you'll be stooling it, or cutting to the ground, yearly. If left, it forms a tree. The trouible with complete stooling is you won't get the flowers, so its best to take some stems down to the ground, and reduce the height of others, thus ensuring some flowers year on year.

Thanks. So technically I could keep to 5 foot by trimming back every year ?. What sort of spread could I expect ?

Another option is Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' could this be kept quite small ?

It'd be easier to keep the Sambucus in check than the Cotinus. Sambucus doesn't mind being hacked about, and grows rapidly - Cotinus is a slow starter, and although you can prune, its slow to respond. Berberis ottawensis might be worth a look, or Berberis Rose Glow - the latter only makes about 5 feet, the former gets taller, but can be used for hedging, so doesn't mind at all being cut. Both are prickly though.

Thanks Bamboo, I like the Berberis Rose Glow, prickly is fine.

I do what Bamboo says to my Sambucus black lace and it is about 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide each year . Could make it a touch narrower if I wanted to.

My neighbour and I have a Cotinus on the border of our front garden and it is much much more vigorous than the Sambucus. Too much work to keep it a small shrub I would say. Wrong choice in my opinion.

thanks, I think I will go for the Sambucus as the flowers also fit in with my theme.

Another option is the Physocarpus (the purple one, I don't know the latin). It responds quite well the cutting and has flowers much like Sambucus.

C&G - Physocarpus is the Latin name - the variety might be 'Diablo' or 'Lady in Red'? I think its commonly known as Nine Bark in the USA (no idea why though)