European alder
Alnus glutinosa
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size40 to 60 feet tall20 to 40 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Multi-stemmed
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Bloom color
- Reddish-brown (male), purple (female)
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
European alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a tree for winter interest and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It grows at a rapid rate and has a multi-stemmed habit. Reddish-brown male catkins and purple female catkins appear in early to late spring, and birds visit the tree.
Pairs well with Royal fern, Pickerel weed, Spicebush, and Sensitive fern.
Native range
Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.