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Alnus incana
grey alder
Noted for its ability to thrive in poor, wet conditions but is also tolerant of dry and coastal soils, Alnus...
9 litre pot | 1 - 1.5m tall
In stock (shipped within 3-5 working days)
bare root | 1.2 - 1.5m tall
available to order from autumn
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Plant description
Noted for its ability to thrive in poor, wet conditions but is also tolerant of dry and coastal soils, Alnus incana is a fast-growing conical tree, to 20m, with dark-green leaves, grey-white and hairy beneath. Emerging before the leaves, yellow-brown male catkins in pendent clusters are produced in late winter and early spring followed by brown cone-like fruits.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Fast-growing
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Alnus incana:
Plant in full sun in moist, well-drained soil, though it will tolerate wider poor or heavy soils and even seasonally wet ground once established. It’s a tough, fast-growing tree ideal for screening or stabilising banks, especially in exposed or challenging conditions.
Water during prolonged dry spells in the first couple of seasons to help it establish. Alnus generally needs little maintenance, but you can lightly prune in late autumn or winter to remove dead, damaged or overcrowded growth. Avoid hard pruning, as this species prefers minimal disturbance once mature. Mulch in spring to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Grey alder tends to develop as a multi-stemmed tree, so if a standard tree is required, select and train a single main stem, removing all lateral branches up to 1.5-2m (5-6ft) from the ground between the autumn leaf-fall and mid-winter.
Water during prolonged dry spells in the first couple of seasons to help it establish. Alnus generally needs little maintenance, but you can lightly prune in late autumn or winter to remove dead, damaged or overcrowded growth. Avoid hard pruning, as this species prefers minimal disturbance once mature. Mulch in spring to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Grey alder tends to develop as a multi-stemmed tree, so if a standard tree is required, select and train a single main stem, removing all lateral branches up to 1.5-2m (5-6ft) from the ground between the autumn leaf-fall and mid-winter.
Please note:
This tree is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
