Grey Alder vs Bearberry - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Alnus incana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Bearberry
Grey Alder

Bearberry is a dwarf shrub known for its creamy pink flowers and red edible fruits.

It is great as a filler in gardens and flowerbeds in place of invasive ground cover plants, like English Ivy.

Bearberry will attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to your property. It is one of the top 12 plants recommended by the Alberta Native Bee Council to support pollinators.

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.

Bearberry Quick Facts

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.1 m (0.3 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Foliage: leathery, evergreen
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: small, purple-white
Fruit: small catkins
Berries: small red berries
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Other Names: kinnikinnick, mealberry, sandberry
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder