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Alnus glutinosa

common alder

© RHS 2002
Sold by 25 nurseries

  • Other common names common alder
    aar

    aller
    black alder
    European alder

    see more

  • Family Betulaceae

  • Genus Alnus are vigorous deciduous trees and large shrubs with rounded leaves and often conspicuous catkins in winter

  • Details A. glutinosa is a deciduous tree to 25m, broadly conical in habit when young, with grey-purple buds and young catkins conspicuous in winter, and rounded bright green leaves

  • Plant range Europe to N Africa

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Columnar/Upright

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H7

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Clay

    Clay

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained

  • SoilLoam, Chalk, Clay

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height Higher than 12 metres

  • Ultimate spread 4-8 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 20-50 years

How to grow

Cultivation This genus is noted for its ability to thrive in poor, wet conditions and is widely used in land reclamation

Propagation Propagate by seed or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types Low Maintenance Hedging & Screens Wildflower meadow Wildlife Gardens Coastal

How to care

Pruning Pruning group 1

Pests Can get alder sucker and leaf-mining sawflies

Diseases Susceptible to Phytophthora

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