The Alder is a native, fast growing, deciduous species that's particularly well suited to wet sites. It's young buds are a bit sticky (hence it's latin name) but develop into a nice dark, glossy leaf - and generally where it is grown in wet sites, it keeps it's leaves in autumn for a considerably longer time than most other deciduous species. The other big advantage of Alder is that it's roots fix nitrogen in the soil - so it enhances soil quality over time and is especially useful in areas with poor soil quality.
Alder has slender male, reddish brown catkins and a female fruit which is hard, darker in colour and shaped like a very small pine cone - these female fruits often stay on the bushes throughout most of winter and look very attractive.
Cell grown Alder plants are available all year round - bare root plants are available November to early April (sometimes late March).
Don't forget to order RootGrow and/or Bonemeal.
New range of beautiful topiary now available
