Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder) seeds
Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder) seeds
54 in stock
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Native British tree found growing on moist ground near rivers, ponds and lakes. Unlike many trees, the Common Alder loves wet conditions and poor soil, so if you have a boggy area where little grows, an Alder tree could be the perfect solution.
A very valuable tree for wildlife and insects, the early catkins in Feb - April are a source of nectar for bees, moths and butterflies, and the seeds are loved by birds and small mammals.
As the Alder matures, it forms a lovely conical shape and needs very little maintenance. Can be trained as a standard and also used as screening or a windbreak. With fast growth of 40-60cm a year, Alder is a good choice for robust hedging or as part of a mixed native hedgerow. Also makes a good medium to large Bonsai tree.
Hardy Tree
Height: 20m+ if left to grow, 2-5m as hedging
Position: Sun or semi shade in damp/wet poor soil
Packet of 30 seeds
GROWING GUIDE
These seeds have a shallow dormancy and need a period of cold treatment before they will germinate. This can be done outdoors over winter or indoors at any time of year.
- Mix compost 50:50 with vermiculite or perlite, then water until just moist.
- Sow seeds thinly on the surface and cover with a sprinkling of compost, vermiculite or perlite, then seal inside a polythene bag.
Outdoors - October to January
- Place pots in a sheltered spot, coldframe or unheated greenhouse and cover with a clear bag or glass to keep the critters out.
- Check regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out.
- The seedlings will emerge in spring when the weather warms up.
Indoors - Anytime
- Place pots in the fridge for 6 weeks.
- Check regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out.
- After 6 weeks, move to 18-21C on a windowsill or in a propagator.
- Germination can be slow and erratic and may take a few months.
- When the seedlings emerge, increase ventilation by opening the bag or propagator vents.
- When they are large enough to handle, transplant into 7-9cm pots and grow on, repotting as needed.
- Indoor grown seedlings can be moved outside in spring once all risk of frost has passed. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions by placing them outdoors during the day for a week or so.
- When mature enough, plant out in the garden in their final position.
Delivery
Delivery
We offer prompt order dispatch within 1-2 working days by Royal Mail. Delivery time will normally be within 2-3 days but may take a little longer due to the ongoing problems at Royal Mail.
Due to phytosanitary regulations we are unable to send seeds outside the UK. If a mail forwarding service in the UK is used to send your order abroad, please be aware that we will not take responsibility for orders confiscated by customs or lost at the mail forwarders warehouse.
If an order is returned to us as undelivered by the postal service, we will refund the cost of the products purchased, not the delivery charge. When a service other than standard delivery is used, we will also deduct this from the refund (eg. signed for, special delivery or courier charges). It is the customer's responsibility to ensure the delivery address on the order is correct.
Please report any orders delivered damaged or incorrect, and any missing orders not delivered within 14 days of the order date by emailing us: sales@rpseeds.co.uk.
Packaging
Packaging
All our seed packaging and most of our postal packaging is paper based and can be recycled.
Seed Storage
Seed Storage
Store seeds in a cool, dry place.
