The Alder is a native, fast growing, deciduous species that's particularly well suited to wet sites. Its young buds are a bit sticky (hence it's Latin name) but develop into a nice dark, glossy leaf
- & generally where it is grown in wet sites, it keeps it's leaves in autumn for a considerably longer time than most other deciduous species. The other big advantage of Alder is that it's roots fix nitrogen in the soil
- so it enhances soil quality over time & is especially useful in areas with poor soil quality. Alder has slender male, reddish brown catkins & a female fruit which is hard, darker in colour & shaped like a very small pine cone
- these female fruits often stay on the bushes throughout most of winter & look very attractive. Flowers early March-late May. Available in packs of 25 or 50 bare roots & grows 60cm+ per year. Fast Growing Wildlife Friendly Bare Root hedging plants are a great, cost-effective way for you to achieve your hedging goals. They are grown in an open environment, exposed to natural conditions, which allows these plants to develop with no restrictions. When opting for this root type, you will receive well established plants with sturdy root systems as a result of their growing method. Given the way in which they are grown, bare rooted plants are available from November until May as this is the time of year when the plants are dormant & can be safely lifted from the field. This category mostly consists of native, deciduous hedging species which many of them flower and/or berry so they make great hedges for wildlife & provide seasonal interest.