Grey alder – Alnus incana: fast-growing, hardy tree for wet soils. Improves soil and biodiversity. Available in pots for year-round planting. Ideal for banks and wild gardens.
Description
The grey alder is a vigorous deciduous tree ideal for moist to wet soils. Valued for its fast growth, ability to fix nitrogen and stabilize banks, it plays a vital role in ecological restoration, hedgerows and naturalistic landscapes. Hardy and adaptable, it enriches poor soils and attracts wildlife.
Native range: Central and Northern Europe, Balkans, mountainous zones
Botanical family: Betulaceae
Notable trait: Forms a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots
Mature height: 10 to 18 m
Spread: 5 to 8 m
Form: Upright, narrow crown when young, broader with age
Bark: Silvery grey, smooth to slightly fissured
Leaves: Deciduous, grey-green, ovate, double-toothed
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: Excellent (down to –30 °C)
Bloom period: March to April, before leaves emerge
Flowers: Male catkins (drooping) and female cones (upright) on the same tree
Fruit: Woody strobiles, decorative, persistent into winter
Ecological role: Hosts early pollinators and seed-eating birds
Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Moist, rich or poor, clay, gravel or silt
pH: Acid to neutral (slightly calcareous tolerated)
Special feature: Tolerates temporary flooding and waterlogging
Grey alder in pots can be planted year-round, except during frost or extreme drought.
Tip: staking is not usually necessary, as alder develops a strong root system quickly.
First year: Water generously during dry periods
After: Becomes self-sufficient, highly moisture-tolerant
When and how: Prune in winter to shape or rejuvenate. Tolerates hard pruning if needed.
Method: By seed or root cuttings. May also sucker spontaneously.
Ideal for: Riverbanks, wetland edges, woodland hedges, soil regeneration
Companions: Willows, dogwoods, ferns, sedges, viburnums
Very resistant, rarely affected by pests. May decline in dry, compacted soils.
The Grey alder is a smart choice for gardeners seeking a resilient, fast-growing tree for moist zones. Available year-round in pots, it’s ideal for stabilising banks, enriching soils, and supporting wildlife in naturalistic settings.
Shipping & delivery
As soon as you place your order your plants are selected
Each order is processed individually.
Plants are packed, staked and labeled.
Packaging is carefully implemented to avoid any problems.
Packages are ready to be shipped.Expédition de nos plantes dans toute l'Europe (sauf en outre mer et les îles).
Avis clients
Grey alder – Alnus incana: fast-growing, hardy tree for wet soils. Improves soil and biodiversity. Available in pots for year-round planting. Ideal for banks and wild gardens.
