Alnus glutinosa 'Laciniata'

RHS Plant Profile
alder 'Laciniata'
Trees

A large, often multi-stemmed deciduous tree seen along river banks. It has leathery green leaves which are deeply indented between the veins making slender lobes. These have no autumn colour and fall green. It bears deep red, upright catkins which give it a red glow in winter. The tiny female flowers develop into clusters of long-lasting wooden cones

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright, Spreading branched
Genus
Alnus are vigorous deciduous trees and large shrubs with rounded leaves and often conspicuous catkins in winter
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Needs good light, permanently damp soil but very little fertility as they have nitrogen-fixing nodules on their roots. They are used for river bank stabilisation and other land reclamation purposes

Propagation

Grow from seed or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Banks and slopes

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to alder sucker and leaf-mining sawflies

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora and honey fungus