We proudly research, grow, and write about our plants by hand. Descriptions are based on our experience as well as information gathered from reputable sources: books, periodicals, and select websites. Should you have questions beyond what is listed please email or call.

  • Yellow Alnus serrulata, commonly known as smooth alder, catkins hanging from a branch against a blurred natural background
  • Close-up of green Alnus serrulata, commonly known as smooth alder, leaves and small flowers with a blurred natural background
  • Large Alnus serrulata, commonly known as smooth alder, tree with a thick trunk and sprawling branches in a lush green forest
  • Alnus serrulata, commonly known as smooth alder, tree with green leaves and branches in a natural setting
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Alnus serrulata | smooth alder

$8.99
$8.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Grown from seed in living soil without the use of pesticides, chemicals, or carbon fuels.

Plants may ship dormant in early spring.

Available FALL 2026. Sign up for the waitlist to be notified when available for purchase.

Hazel alder (Alnus serrulata) is a little used yet very attractive, small native multi-stem tree or spreading shrub. Smooth grey bark complements dull green leaves. Male catkins and reddish-purple female flowers open at the same time and offer a feast to pollinators in late winter or early spring. Fruiting cones follow the flowers and dry beautifully to lend interest to the winter garden. They look much like miniature pine cones and birds especially love the seeds inside. Most often found growing along waterways from Maine to Florida and across Texas, but it is surprisingly adaptable to drier conditions.  

Zone: 4 to 9
Family: Betulaceae
Type: Tree
Height: 10 to 20 ft.
Spread: 8 to 15 ft.
Exposure: full sun to part shade
Conditions: medium to wet
Bloom Time: March to April
Native Range: eastern United States
Common Names: smooth alder, hazel alder, tag alder, speckled alder
image credits

Eric Hunt,CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
sonnia hill,CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Aroche,CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Aroche,CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yellow Alnus serrulata, commonly known as smooth alder, catkins hanging from a branch against a blurred natural background
Close-up of green Alnus serrulata, commonly known as smooth alder, leaves and small flowers with a blurred natural background
Large Alnus serrulata, commonly known as smooth alder, tree with a thick trunk and sprawling branches in a lush green forest
Alnus serrulata, commonly known as smooth alder, tree with green leaves and branches in a natural setting

Ordering information

Preorders

You may place your order anytime to reserve plants for spring 2026 shipping. If you place multiple orders, we will combine plants into one box (or as many as needed) and any extra shipping charges will be refunded.

We will resume shipping plants as soon as plants are ready and temperatures are appropriate in our location and yours.

We will check in with you a week before shipping to make sure you receive your plants at a time that is convenient for you.

Shipping

Live plants ship in spring and fall only. Plants may ship dormant, depending on variety and season. Shipping costs are most reasonable when bundling like size plants.

  • 4-inch: 1-6 plants ship for $15.00 / 7-13 plants ship for $18.00 / 14-30 plants ship for $40.00
  • 1-gal: 1-2 plants ship for $18.00 / 3-4 plants ship for $25.00 / 5-6 plants ship for $40.00
  • trees & shrubs: $27.00-$40.00 each, height dependent
  • seeds: $6.75 or free with orders over $15.00

We regret that we cannot ship internationally or to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, or WA.

Read more about our shipping policies here.

Nursery pick up

We will email you to schedule a day and time to collect your plants when they are ready in spring. Generally, plants can be collected from the nursery Monday through Sunday from 10am-4pm in Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Plant Sizes

We most commonly use the following pot sizes for perennials:

  • 4-inch pot: 3.5" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D
  • 2-quart pot: 6" H x 5.25" W x 5.25" D
  • 1-gallon pot: 6.87" H x 8" Dia (this is a true one gallon pot, not the smaller 'trade' one gallon pot used by many nurseries)

Check out our illustrated pot size guide here.

Representative trees & shrubs are photographed in their pots and posted on each plant page.

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at The Old Dairy. We grow all of our plants outdoors without the use of chemicals, fertilizers, carbon fuels, or peat.

Many of our perennials are grown in the ground and dug upon order (this is especially true for larger sizes). This practice allows us to grow stronger, healthier plants using native soil, and ultimately reduces our impact on the environment.

Our open-pollinated seeds are collected from plants in our mother beds, which have never been treated with chemicals or sprays of any kind.

Read all about our sustainable practices here.

See all in this genus

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view this plant in our garden

Alnus serrulata | smooth alder |

seedling image

Alnus serrulata | smooth alder

We are slowly creating a seedling image library to help make weeding easier.
garden location coming soongarden location coming soon
 
garden location coming soongarden location coming soon