Sheffield's Seed Company Page

Alnus viridis, also known as European Green Alder or Green Alder is a gorgeous deciduous shrub is native to Europe and can grow to be 15-30 ft tall with smooth grey bark, even in old age. Its shiny dark green leaves can reach up to 3 inches in length, giving it a beautiful appearance. The plant is monoecious, meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant, and they are pollinated by wind.
The European Green Alder is ideal for medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils, making it a hardy and versatile plant. Moist or wet soil is crucial for its growth.
This shrub species is a sight to behold all year round. The male catkins are pendulous, reaching 4-8 cm in length, while the female catkins mature in late autumn, growing up to 1 cm long with a width of 0.7 cm in clusters of 3-10 on a branched stem. Notably, the flowers emerge late in spring after the leaves, unlike other alders which flower before leafing out. The seeds are small, light brown with a narrow encircling wing, measuring about 1-2 mm long.
This plant can fix Nitrogen, making it an eco-friendly addition to your garden. Interestingly, an orange-red to brown dye can be obtained from its bark, adding an artistic touch to your projects. Be sure to add the European Green Alder to your garden for its beauty, hardiness, and versatility.