Grey Alder vs Canadian Buffaloberry - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Canadian Buffaloberry

Alnus incana

Shepherdia canadensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Grey Alder
Canadian Buffaloberry

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.

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

Canadian Buffalo Berry is a native deciduous shrub found throughout North America. This hardy, medium-sized shrub will tolerate poor soil conditions and produces attractive, edible–though very bitter–red fruit.

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Canadian Buffaloberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99
Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Foliage: dark green with silver undersides
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: tiny, red
Fruit: small catkins
Berries: red bitter berries (edible)
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder
Other Names: canada buffalo berry, canada buffaloberry, canadian buffaloberry, foam berry, foamberry, russet buffaloberry, soap berry, soapberry, soopolallie