Grey Alder vs Red Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Red Elderberry

Alnus incana

Sambucus racemosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Grey 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.

Grey 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)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Toxicity: toxic to humans
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white
Fruit: small catkins
Berries: bright red berries
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder
Other Names: red elder