 | Alder (Alnus Glutinosa)
The native Alder gets the Glutinosa in its latin name from the stickyness of its buds and young leaves. It has many attractive aspects - long narrow male catkins in spring, tiny female woody cones which release seed in autumn but can stay on the plant longer - sometimes even more than one season (giving it some interest in mid winter), it is wildlife friendly (particularly for the caterpillars of butterflies and moths but also 90 insect species as well as small birds), but its greatest asset is its use near water and on very poor soil. It grows best in moist or even wet soil and will tolerate prolonged periods of standing in water up to 30cm deep. It is good at fixing atmospheric nitrogen not only for its own use but it also makes nitrogen available to other plants growing nearby. Also it has a heavy leafy canopy and the autumn leaf fall builds up the humus content of poor soil.
It is good in all soils other than very alkaline, and in sun or semi shade and particularly good in coastal positions and due to its fast growth rate when young, it can be used to form an effective windbreak to protect other plants. Whilst deciduous, Alder keeps its leaves quite late, often into November.
In the season, we despatch 90cm (and taller) bare root plants weekly. Orders received by Thursday evening are despatched the following Tuesday or Wednesday.
Prices shown are the price per plant. Planting distances are very much a matter of choice - 3 plants per metre is adequate, 5 is good, 7 in a double staggered row will give a dense hedge quicker. Generally, smaller plants should be planted at higher density.
Please see our new list of superb quality Specimen Shrubs (bottom of the menu on the left hand side of the website) - free delivery when ordered with your hedging plants.
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