Overview

Alnus maritima is a spreading branched, columnar upright trees in the genus Alnus, part of the Betulaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Alnus maritima grows best in full sun, and tolerates clay and loam soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include architectural.

About

Alnus maritima ( also known as the seaside alder, delmarva alder, or brook alder) is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Betulaceae. Alnus maritima is endemic to the United States, and is found naturally in three disjunct populations in Oklahoma, Georgia, and in Maryland and Delaware on the Delmarva Peninsula. Alnus maritima is the only autumn-blooming member of the genus Alnus native to North America. The autumn-blooming phenology is a characteristic that Alnus maritima shares with two old-world Alnus species, Alnus nitida and Alnus nepalensis, which are endemic to southeast Asia. Grow it in full sun and clay and loam soil. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). It works well for architectural. It tolerates soil of any pH, poorly-drained conditions and east-facing, north-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Alnus maritima

About the genus

Alders are trees of the genus Alnus in the birch family Betulaceae. The genus includes about 35 species of monoecious trees and shrubs, a few reaching a large size, distributed throughout the north temperate zone with a few species extending into Central America, as well as the northern and southern Andes.

Wikipedia contributors, "Alder", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Alder

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Alnus

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Clay, Loam

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Poorly-drained

Aspect

East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Alnus maritima size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Trees

Habit

Spreading branched, Columnar upright

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Architectural

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Alnus maritima

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings or seed. For more advice see our information on how to propagate from seed (tree/shrub

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to alder leaf beetle, alder sucker and leaf-mining sawflies

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to phytophthora root rot and honey fungus

Frequently asked questions