River Alder vs Red Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

River Alder vs Red Elderberry

Alnus incana

Sambucus racemosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

River Alder
Red Elderberry

River Alder is a large shrub or small tree with a multi-stemmed, spreading habit. It is an excellent tree to plant if you want to stabilize the soil near rivers and creeks.

Unlike the other alder varieties, River Alder is attractive enough to be included in riverside plantings by municipal and provincial park organizations.

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Red Elderberry seeds at SeedTime.ca.

River Alder Quick Facts

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Berries: bright red berries
Flowers: white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none




Toxicity: toxic to humans
Other Names: red elder