Red Currant vs Sitka Alder - TreeTime.ca

Red Currant vs Sitka Alder

Ribes rubrum

Alnus alnobetula subsp. sinuata

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Red Currant
Sitka Alder

Red Currant is a deciduous shrub native to western Europe. It features five-lobed, maple-like leaves, and bright red berries that can be used in jams, sauces, and fresh eating.

Although this shrub is self-fertile, it will be more productive if another pollinator is present. For year over year high yields, ensure you fertilize (bone meal), prune, and mulch your Red Currant shrub.

Sitka Alder is a native deciduous shrub or small tree that often forms dense thickets. Its extensive root system stabilizes slopes and streambanks. Nitrogen-fixing capabilities and nutrient-rich leaf litter improve soil fertility, creating better growing conditions for surrounding plants. These qualities make it especially effective in disturbed or erosion-prone sites.
Often found in moist, high-elevation mountain environments, Sitka Alder also enhances habitat by providing cover and structure in both riparian and upland areas. Birds and small mammals utilize it for nesting, and its seeds serve as a food source.
Note: We use Sitka Alder for Alnus alnobetula subsp. sinuata. This species is also known by many other common names, including Mountain Alder, Green Alder, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

Red Currant Quick Facts

Sitka Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to prostrate, thicket-forming
Spreading: seed - medium, layering - medium
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Bark: redish-brown to grey, smooth
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, YT, NT
Other Names: wavy leaf alder