Bareroot Alnus cordata (Italian Alder)

A fast-growing deciduous tree prized for its year-round interest and exceptional adaptability to challenging conditions. The glossy, heart-shaped leaves remain fresh-looking throughout summer before turning golden yellow in autumn, while the attractive catkins add winter interest. Particularly valuable for difficult sites, it thrives in poor, wet soils where other trees struggle, making it ideal for stream banks, clay soils, or areas with poor drainage. Its nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil quality over time, benefiting surrounding plants. With an elegant pyramidal shape when young, maturing to a more rounded form, it reaches about 15-20m tall - perfect for medium-sized gardens or as a windbreak. The bark develops interesting fissures with age, and the persistent cone-like fruits add texture to winter landscapes. A superb choice for ecological planting schemes, as it supports wildlife while withstanding urban pollution and coastal exposures.

Family of Trees: Betulaceae

Habit: Deciduous tree

Growth Rate: 60 to 90 cm/year (fast)

Optimal Temperature: 10-25°C, hardy to -25°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Non-toxic to Humans and Pets

Flowers or Berries: Yellow-brown catkins, small cone-like fruits

Hardiness: H6 (Extremely hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)