Yellow Twig Dogwood vs Mountain Alder - TreeTime.ca

Yellow Twig Dogwood vs Mountain Alder

Cornus sericea flaviramea

Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Yellow Twig Dogwood
Mountain Alder

Yellow Twig Dogwood is a small deciduous shrub with attractive, bright yellow bark.

It features delicate white, star-shaped flowers and white fruit. It is often used as a screen, and its wide-spreading roots help stabilize areas experiencing soil erosion.

Yellow Twig Dogwood complements Red Osier Dogwood, and it is a great filler to add winter color to shrub and flower gardens.

Mountain Alder is a native cold-hardy shrub or small tree often found along streams and in moist forested habitats. Its nitrogen-fixing ability enriches soils and supports surrounding vegetation, while its extensive root system helps stabilize streambanks and slopes. The fast growth rate allows it to establish quickly on disturbed sites, making it especially valuable in reclamation, restoration, and erosion control projects.

Often forming dense thickets, Mountain Alder enhances habitat quality in riparian and upland areas. It provides food and cover for various wildlife, including birds and small mammals. Recognized as an important species for soil and water conservation, it is well suited for riparian planting, naturalization, and ecological restoration.

Note: We use Sitka Alder for Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia. This species is also known by many other common names, including Grey Alder, River Alder, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

Yellow Twig Dogwood Quick Facts

Mountain Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: multi-stemmed, thicket-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low, layering - low
Suckering: low


Bark: golden yellow in fall/winter
Bark: smooth, gray to brown
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes

In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, YT, NT
Other Names: river alder, speckled alder, thin-leaved alder, thinleaf alder, western river alder