Key features
AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit
Final size7 x 5 metres in 20 years
FoliageGolden yellow-green leaves (deciduous)
SoilWet-tolerant
Description
Known as Golden Alder due to its wonderful golden hued leaves and bark, Alnus incana ‘Aurea’ is a hardy and resilient tree. It’s ideal for difficult sites, tolerating damp or poor soils, some drought (once established) and wind exposure.
Coral pink catkins appear in early spring and keep their pink hue until summer, providing contrast to the pretty yellow-green foliage. False cones appearing in autumn are popular with birds and can provide food for bees. This Golden Alder also has glossy, bright golden bark that is a beautiful feature, especially in winter when the bark can clearly be seen.
A slow growing tree, Alder incana ‘Aurea will reach 7 x 5 metres in 20 years and forms a slightly pyramidal shape. As with all Alder trees, it plays host to a nitrogen fixing bacterium beneath the soil which improves the fertility of the soil and plays a good part in ecological succession.
AKA Yellow leaved alder tree, Grey alder ‘Aurea’, Alnus incana Aurea
Planting Steps
1Preparation
- Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
- Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
- Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
- To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.
2Planting
- Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
- Ensure the top of the plant’s compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
- Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
- Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.
3Last Steps
- Water generously around the base of the plant.
- If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.
Aftercare Advice
Trees and shrubs require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.
For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.
