Stick your finger down into the soil in several places to see how wet it is. It may be a) not as moist or b)way too moist. If it is not as moist as it could be, I'd suggest a good soaking to get it going again. Have you mulched it as well?

As for dieback, these are pretty hardy and even with dieback can recover, so don't give up hope yet.

I also just planted 3 Black Lace about 6 weeks ago and had/have the same issue with dieback at the base and curling new growth. I thought I was watering enough, in my case I was not. I've only gotten one new leaf since I discovered this but it is perfect so hopefully that means they are on the mend. Hope your problem is as simple. They are lovely aren't they.

Since this plant prefers moist to wet soil and it is not yet established, it does need quite a bit more water than it would if it were established.

Also, unless your tree was bareroot when planted, you need to check the rootball, not just the surrounding soil, to ensure that enough moisture is present.

Thank you all for the comments. I'll make sure that I have enough mulch around the base and that the soil stays very moist.

I appreciate it!

I kept my BL potted up for a year, but it was a rescue, the poor thing looked pathetic when I took it home. I discovered that the root system was very small. I pampered it, and it flowered in part shade, still in the pot! I planted it out just recently in well-amended soil, full sun, but am prepared to move it to a moister spot. My friend says it is a die-back shrub for her, but someone here on GW has a three-year old specimen that's a tree! Since it was planted, I have watered it faithfully on days it didn't rain, using a hand-held sprayer at the roots. This is how I treat all the plants I install in the summer. Besides, I like the quiet time to myself in the morning.

Wilting of newly planted shrubs is a common problem - This is a simple watering issue.

Potting soils are mostly organic and if allowed to dry out, they are difficult to rewet again. When watering newly planted shrubs, lay the garden hose directly above the roots and let the water trickle slowly into the potting soil. Sometimes a few drops of liquid dish soap per gallon of water can assist in rewetting the potting soil if it has dried out. The soap breaks down the water tension and allows for better wetting.

Check your plants regularly the first year to make certain that the soil remains evenly moist. Use your finger to probe the potting soil. If you feel moisture, all is fine, if not, drench the roots as described above. Once your plant is established, it should require little attention unless you experience a prolonged drought. If so water accordingly.

I planted a Black Lace Elderberry a couple of years ago. It was a small shrub in a 3 gallon pot when I bought it. I cannot remember clearly but I think that it did have the same issues then. The leaves were dropping but it looked OK. So I just kept watering it. Last year, it did not have much vertical growth but it did grow a few branches horizontally. Then this year, it started off as a small shrub that was under 2 feet tall in early spring. However, now it is over 6 feet tall!!!!!!! It is quite scary really!!! LOL! I like how airy it seems. The leaves are not very dense and I like how they move with the wind. Now I hope that this is the final size and it will not grow any taller next season! So I guess my point is that you should not worry, this is one tough cookie and it should be fine once it is established.

Yes, water, water, water. I planted a Sutherland Gold Elderberry earlier this year - some amendment, hand-watering, under maples, not full sun - it had those same issues until I started just killing it with the water. Now, I also have 3 black lace elderberries in amended, heavily mulched and irrigated soil, full sun. They get far more water than the Sutherland did at first and are loving it. Lots of growth and no curling. Sutherland still gets sulky at times because the irrigation doesn't run there yet and I am not as good a waterer as the system. it perks right up after an extra watering, just like its neighbors, the Astilbes.