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Thrives in poorly drained, waterlogged soils where other trees fail.
GROW SOMETHING WONDERFUL
Black Alder
Alnus glutinosa
Your guide to planting, growing, and getting to know this plant.
THE PLANT NOTEBOOK
Black Alder care, from seed onward.
- Botanical name
- Alnus glutinosa
- Common names
- European Alder, Common Alder
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Genus
- Alnus
- Species
- A. glutinosa
Growing with your kit
The Seeds In A Cup® clear planter allows for observation of the nitrogen-fixing nodules that make Alders forest pioneers.
Propagation
By seed or softwood cuttings.
Seasonal growth & harvest
Produces catkins in late winter; female catkins develop into small woody cones.
Growing conditions
Wet areas, riverbanks, and swampy ground.
Weather & tolerances
Extreme wet-soil tolerance; sensitive to drought.
Pests & plant health
Alder leaf beetle and Phytophthora root rot.
Plant safety
Safe for consumption and handling.
Botanical features
A medium deciduous tree with rounded leaves. Symbiotic root nodules fix nitrogen in wet soils.
Varieties
‘Imperialis’ (Cut-leaf).
Garden & everyday uses
Wood is water-resistant. used for underwater piles and sluice gates. Critical for soil improvement
Native range & distribution
Europe and Northern Asia; naturalized in North America.
Conservation
Stable.
Name origins
Latin ‘glutinosa’ meaning sticky, referring to the young leaves and buds.
History
Much of Venice is built on Alder pilings, as the wood becomes rock-hard when submerged.