Grey Alder vs Washington Hawthorn - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Washington Hawthorn

Alnus incana

Crataegus phaenopyrum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Grey Alder
Washington Hawthorn

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.

Washington Hawthorn is an attractive ornamental shrub that is dense enough to plant as a privacy screen. It produces clusters of white blooms in late spring to early summer.

Washington Hawthorn's red berries last throughout winter, bringing squirrels and birds to your property. In the fall, its foliage turns beautiful orange, scarlet, or purple.

One of the most overlooked trees on the prairies. This tree is often used as rootstock, a wildlife attractor, or a boulevard hedge. Give this one a second look.

This species is also known as one of the more salt-tolerant species for those with saline soils.

Please note: this plant is poisonous to dogs.

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Washington Hawthorn Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fall colour: orange, scarlet or purple
Flowers: white flowers in spring
Fruit: small catkins
Berries: small, red
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
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: washington thorn