Grey Alder vs Common Juniper - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Common Juniper

Juniperus communis

Alnus incana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Common Juniper
Grey Alder

Common Juniper is a wide spreading, coniferous shrub with scaly needles and small, berry-like cones. Used as a landscaping shrub, it typically grows 3 or 4 feet tall and will not spread like Creeping Juniper.

You can plant Common Juniper near building foundations or beneath larger trees to provide year-round color and texture to your yard with minimal maintenance.

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.

Common Juniper Quick Facts

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Fall colour: green
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fruit: small catkins
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


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