Grey Alder vs Purple Leaf Sand Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Purple Leaf Sand Cherry

Prunus x cistena

Alnus incana

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Grey Alder

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry provides bright reddish-purple leaves that turn bronze-green in the fall. In the spring, tiny flowers with a pinkish white hue bloom. The flowers are small, but the impact comes from the shrub blossoming all at once.

The Purple leaf sand cherry can be susceptible to pests and diseases in more humid areas; a typical life span is approximately 15 years. Not suitable for a privacy hedge on its own but is often alternated with lilacs. Often used as an accent plant that attracts birds and bees.

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.

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: none

Toxicity: the leaves and seed are slightly toxic

Foliage: purple leaves
Fall colour: dark red
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Bark: dark red to purple
Flowers: pinkish
Fruit: dark red fruit
Fruit: small catkins
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Other Names: purpleleaf sandcherry