238 Ornamental Shrubs. 



A. glutinosa, commonly known as the European or 

 black alder, is a native of northern Europe, Asia, and 

 America. It is one of the most widely known as well as 

 the largest and best of the family, often becoming a 

 medium-sized tree. It has somewhat wedge-shaped leaves 

 lobed at the margin, and almost black bark, especially 

 when mature. The wood is of an orange color, and was 

 formerly esteemed for the production of charcoal, and for 

 use in the manufacture of small articles, as it is fine-grained 

 and very hard. An authority of fifty years ago wrote : 

 " It is one of the ornaments of many of the most exquisite 

 landscapes of England. The dark green of its foliage, 

 and the still darker hue of its bark contrast beautifully 

 with the colors of other trees with which it is usually asso- 

 ciated on the banks of our rivers." Within a few years a 

 variety known as the cut-leaved alder, A. g. imperialis 

 laciniata, has come into quite general cultivation, and 

 is of deserved popularity among all who have become 

 acquainted with its excellences. Like its type it makes 

 a finely shaped, pyramidal tree with compact foliage and 

 of somewhat rapid growth. The leaves are finely, not to 

 say curiously, divided. It will thrive almost equally well 

 in low, damp soils or on the hillsides in dry land. The 

 species known as A. cordifolia is another of the larger 

 sorts. It is a native of Italy, has very dark green and 

 glossy foliage, and is said to grow rapidly in dry soils, and 

 to be one of the most interesting of ornamental trees. 



The smooth alder, A. serridata, is also valuable for 

 grouping, for, though it is seldom beautiful by itself, it 

 helps wonderfully by its rich coloring in producing the 



