Alnus serrulata - tag alder
DESCRIPTION
tag alder
Alnus serrulata
Tag alders bloom in March and April, long before the leaves appear. Both male and female flowers occur on one plant. The male catkins are purplish, opening to yellow-brown and hang down from the branches. The reddish female flowers are held in upright clusters. They are quite attractive in early spring. The fruit resembles mini pinecones and can be used in fall flower arrangements. This is a small tree or large shrub that is at home in moist to wet locations. Especially well suited to stream and pond edges.
Benefits
- Great choice for stream banks, helps reduce erosion
- Host plant for many moth varieties
- Ruffed grouse, swamp sparrows and eastern goldfinch eat seeds and catkins
- Dense branching provides cover and nesting for birds and other wildlife
- Both the catkins and the seedpods are decorative
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Found along stream banks, bogs, swamps and wet meadows.
Native range derived from The Biota of North America
INTERESTING FACTS
Native Americans used a tea made from the bark to treat diarrhea, coughs, toothaches, and sore mouth, and to lessen the pain of childbirth. The tea was also used as a wash for poison ivy.
GROWING TIPS
Tag alders prefer part sun to light shade in moist to wet locations. In nature, you will find them near riversides or streambanks where they help stabilize the soil. Alders fix nitrogen and thus serve as nutrient-giving pioneers in reclamation projects.
Mature Size: 12-20' Tall x 8-15' Wide
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Sun Exposure: Part Shade
VIDEO
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American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose
Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:
- Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
- Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
- Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
- Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
- Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
- Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
- Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted
Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success
Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.
When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.
A Special Note About Exposure
Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download
Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download