Grey Alder vs Russian Almond - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Russian Almond

Alnus incana

Prunus tenella

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Grey Alder
Russian Almond

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.

Russian Almond is a low maintenance, short, slightly suckering shrub. It is covered with attractive, bright pink flowers in early spring before its foliage emerges.

This hardy species forms dense thickets attracts wildlife. Russian Almond prefers full sun and well-drained soils, but can tolerate moist soils.

The nuts it produces are quite attractive but very small. They are bitter and possibly toxic in large quantities.

Check out our YouTube channel video of the Russian Almond here.

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Russian Almond Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: bright pink
Fruit: small catkins
Nuts: small fuzzy nuts
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder
Other Names: dwarf russian almond