Alnus incana 'Pendula'
Weeping alder, Grey alder
- Height × spread
- 15m × 7m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Winter, Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a weeping tree with grey-green foliage and pendulous branches. In maturity, it is elegant, with a spreading habit, holding its branches strongly upward and outward before weeping at the tips. Young trees are shaped more like a shaggy mound before they rise on their trunks. This alder has an attractive, sturdy but graceful shape in winter. In summer, the fat clusters of leaves are like heavy tresses that flow from the tree in a most becoming manner. Weeping trees deserve a specimen positions in the garden and this would be a good candidate for growing on a wet site.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Stem colour
- Brown, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Weeping
- Height
- 15m
- Spread
- 7m
- Height in 10 years
- 8m
- Spread in 10 years
- 3m
- Flowers in
- Winter, Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Winter
Winter · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
Pruning is done in winter when the plant is dormant as otherwise it can 'bleed' badly when cut. Keep the plant looking attractive and healthy by removing dead branches, removing branches that cross or rub each other, and those which spoil its appearance.
The plant is encouraged to develop a pleasing shape by removing deviant or dead growth. It is much more likely to remain healthy if branches that rub, or can rub each other are removed since rubbed spots can be places where disease is introduced.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
More Alnus
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Italian alder
Alnus glutinosa
Common alder, European alder, Black alder
Alnus glutinosa 'Imperialis'
Royal alder, Common alder, European alder, Black alder
Alnus glutinosa 'Laciniata'
Common alder, European alder, Black alder
Alnus hirsuta
Manchurian alder
Alnus incana
Grey alder
Alnus incana 'Aurea'
Golden grey alder, Grey alder
Alnus incana 'Laciniata'
Cut leaf grey alder, Grey alder