These are BARE ROOTED plants which can be planted from the end of October until May and will be dispatched as soon as the weather turns cold and they become dormant.The dispatch date depends on the Autumn temperature and varies from year to year. Anyone looking for a suitable tree for damp or wet soil will find the Italian alder makes an ideal choice.Its leaves are dark green glossy and 5cm across. 7.5cm yellow catkins form on the plants which also produce 3cm brown woody cones. Growing Details Common Name: Italian alder Genus: Alnus Species: cordata Skill Level: Beginner Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade Hardiness: Hardy, Wind tolerant Soil type: Well-drained/light, Moist, Boggy Height: 24m Spread: 4-8m GREY AND ITALIAN ALDER MAKE VERY GOOD SHELTER HEDGES AND ARE WIDELY USED TO PROTECT FRUIT ORCHARDS. Description It makes a handsome, medium-sized tree that stands around 25m tall and is often grown as a multi-stemmed specimen. It has lustrous green leaves with serrated edges and attractive male catkins which decorate the bare branches from autumn to spring.