Black Lace Elderberry is a European elder (Sambucus nigra). I don't know if S. canadensis would pollinate or not. They are very closely related species so maybe. Our other native S. pubens (red berries) would not.

Two Black Lace elderberries, as you suspected, will not pollinate each other as they ARE both the same plant. Often a few fruit will be produced without a separate pollinator anyway. For the moment, I wouldn't worry about. See if you can get Black Lace to grow satisfactorily first. Many people are disappointed in the performance.

I have had Black Lace for several years now and love it. I was surprised that it grew to 6+ feet this year. I love the purple bronze foliage and don't even mind if it does not produce fruit. I plan to take several cuttings from mine and add a few more to my gardens.

I wonder if that's why there are so many reports across the country of unsatisfactory growth of this plant: maybe they really like the cold.

Leftwood - I'm not sure the reason but all the elderberries (Sambucus) do well for me.

I have:

Black Lace
Black Beauty
Madonna - a beautiful variagated cream/yellow/green leaved variety. Dies back to the ground each year and comes full strength to 8' each year. Gorgeous!
Southerland Gold - very, very striking lime green foliage.
Red Elderberry - green divided leaves with fruit that appear after a beautiful, wisteria like flower in the Spring.
Goldenlocks - This one reminds me of a japanese maple. It has the airy layered look with bright lime foliage.

That's all I can think of right now. I know I have a couple others but the names escape me at the moment. These are my favorites anyways.

Tj

Yes, there's been a recent thread in the Master Gardener's listserv on BLE and most are on the disappointed side. Sounds like it might be a little particular about siting for best performance.