The garden's living archive

Alnus glutinosa, a pioneer tree of Europe's banks and wetlands, is recognisable by its rounded, slightly sticky leaves and its small woody cones that persist through winter. In agroforestry and permaculture, it's readily placed at the edge of a pond or wetland for its role as a nitrogen fixer and bank stabiliser.

Robinia pseudoacacia, native to North America, was introduced to Europe in the 17th century and has been widely naturalised since. Its rot-proof wood and its ability to fix nitrogen make it a pioneer tree valued for restoring degraded soils, but its use must be considered.

Sambucus nigra, a common shrub or small tree of Europe's hedges and edges, offers in June wide umbels of fragrant white flowers, followed at the end of summer by clusters of black berries. The flowers are traditionally used in an infusion or syrup, and the berries, only cooked, in jam or juice.

Prunus spinosa, a wild shrub common in Europe's hedges and edges, covers itself with white flowers from the end of winter, well before the leaves appear. Its fruits, the sloes, harsh and astringent when raw, are traditionally harvested after the first frosts for infusion, sloe liqueur, or jam.

Crataegus monogyna (one-styled hawthorn) and Crataegus laevigata (two-styled hawthorn) are the two common species of European hedges, covered in May with fragrant white flowers then, in autumn, with small red fruits (haws). Hawthorn flowering tops are listed in the European Pharmacopoeia.

Tilia cordata (small-leaved lime) and Tilia platyphyllos (large-leaved lime) are the two species native to Europe, often planted in rows for their generous shade and their heady scent in flower. The flowers, together with their characteristic bract, are traditionally dried for the evening infusion.

The genus Salix brings together many species, from the large white willow (Salix alba) to the goat willow (Salix caprea), all enjoying the damp soils of watersides. Its bark contains salicin, the historic precursor of salicylic acid, whose traditional use against pain and fevers goes back to antiquity.

Cornus sanguinea, a native shrub of woods and hedges throughout France. Not to be confused with the Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas, with edible red fruits) or the Canadian dogwood (Cornus canadensis, a ground cover). Sources: Tela Botanica, “Cornus sanguinea L.” (Coste's flora); Plants For A Future, “Cornus sanguinea”.

The genus Elaeagnus brings together shrubs resistant to wind, salt, and drought, often used as a windbreak hedge or a bank stabiliser. Some species such as Elaeagnus umbellata or E. multiflora produce small edible tart fruits, appreciated in jam in their Asian range of origin.

A thorny wild rose of hedges and edges, the ancestor of cultivated roses. Its red fruits (rose hips, 'itching berries') turn into jam, syrup, or an infusion. Pinkish-white flowers in spring.

A North American tree whose inner bark ('slippery elm'), rich in mucilage, has long been used by indigenous peoples and herbalism.

Betula pendula, the tree with white bark and light foliage that trembles in the wind. First to settle on bare ground, it opens the way to the forest.

Quercus robur (pedunculate oak) and Q. petraea (sessile oak), majestic, slow-growing Fagaceae, often dominant in woodland. Their taproot goes deep, and they feed a considerable insect fauna. Source: Plants For A Future, “Quercus robur” and “Quercus petraea”.

Fagus sylvatica, a native Fagaceae with smooth, pale bark, found in cool woods across France except the Mediterranean plain. Reputed to cope well with drought, it nonetheless declined in several regions after the droughts and heatwaves of 2018 and 2019. Sources: Tela Botanica, “Fagus sylvatica L.” (Coste's flora); ONF, “Épicéas, sapins, hêtres... Ces arbres qui souffrent de la sécheresse”.

Populus (black and white poplars, aspen…), fast-growing Salicaceae of riverbanks and damp woods. Their wood is very light, and the aspen alone hosts more than 90 insect species. Sources: Tela Botanica, “Populus nigra L.”, “Populus alba L.” and “Populus tremula L.” (Coste's flora); Plants For A Future, “Populus alba” and “Populus tremula”.

Carpinus betulus, a native Betulaceae with a characteristic grey, fluted trunk. Not to be confused with the beech: the hornbeam has a doubly toothed leaf, the beech an entire or barely wavy leaf fringed with silky hairs (the French mnemonic “le charme d'Adam, c'est d'être à poil” means hornbeam with teeth, beech with hairs). Sources: Tela Botanica, “Carpinus betulus L.” and “Fagus sylvatica L.” (Coste's flora); RHS, “Carpinus betulus”.