Native to the island of Corsica as well as southern Italy, the Italian Alder is best known for its beautiful foliage that glistens lush and green even during drought conditions. The bark and branching structure provide striking winter interest. The curiously attractive flowers are long, hanging catkins that bloom in early spring. Durable and trouble-free, the Italian Alder is well-suited for even the most difficult soil conditions and is underused in this regard, being one of our best drought-resistant trees. It normally grows 40 feet to 50 feet high and can grow almost an equal width.
You may want to position your Italian Alder so as to accent the pyramidal shape during the dormant season. Placing it against the sunset horizon is one good choice. Because the foliage remains a lush green into the autumn, blending it with brilliant fall-color trees provides a pleasing contrast. It’s a wonderful addition to any garden!
