Alnus incana 'Aurea'

RHS Plant Profile
grey alder 'Aurea'
Award of Garden Merit
Trees

A large, conical, deciduous tree with yellow-green leaves. Conspicuous male catkins, to 10cm long, appear in spring. The smaller female catkins are followed by small, cone-like fruit that turn dark brown in autumn and persist into winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–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
Bushy
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

Able to thrive in poor, wet conditions but also tolerates dry soils

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to alder leaf beetle, alder sucker and leaf-mining sawflies

Diseases

May be susceptible to phytophthora root rot and honey fungus