Jesse Saylor
Family
Betulaceae
Botanical Name
ALNUS incana 'Aurea'
Plant Common Name
Golden Thinleaf Alder
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Ranging from a large shrub to a medium sized tree, golden thinleaf alder has red and golden pendent flowers (catkins), yellow-green foliage and persistent fruit nutlets and smooth bark that make it interesting even in winter. A deciduous large shrub to small tree depending on severity of winter or availability of soil moisture, this species is native to Europe and the Caucausus as well as in North America from California to Canada and across the northern United States. The bark is usually smooth and gray, brown or sienna in color but in age can become more platy. Young twigs usually are attractively orange-red.
In late winter to early spring, clusters of catkins (or drooping, finger-like flower strands) appear before the leaves. These more obvious reddish to golden brown catkins are the male flowers and will be pollinated by the wind. The less obvious female catkins are borne nearby. The females develop oval fruits that are green and the turn brown and linger over the winter, not to open and shed the seeds until the next summer. After flowers, the leaves emerge. They are oval and bright chartreuse with teethed edges and a hairy, grayish underside, maturing to a more somber yellow-green to pale green. The veins in the leaves are obvious, too.
Grow golden thinleaf alder in full sun to partial shade in average to nutrient depleted soils that are moist to wet. Often used to help in restoration plantings, this tree is tolerant of cold. dry soil and moderate drought. It can be used as a fast-growing shade tree or an effective windbreak. To accentuate the foliage color on this cultivar, plant in front of a dark evergreen hedge or dark building.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
6 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
2 - 6
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Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
20'-35' / 6.1m - 10.7m
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Width
12'-16' / 3.7m - 4.9m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Late Winter
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Native To
Europe, Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, United Kingdom, Turkey, Western Asia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Gold, Sandy Brown
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Fruit Color
Olive, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Chartreuse, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow Green, Brown
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Chocolate
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
Yes
