Grey Alder vs Diablo Ninebark - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Diablo Ninebark

Alnus incana

Physocarpus opulifolius Diablo

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Grey Alder
Diablo Ninebark

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.

Diablo Ninebark is a small, low maintenance, multi-stemmed shrub, that is used to add texture or color to any yard. This plant grows dark purple leaves in the spring and grows slightly faster than Common Ninebark. It features flaky red to brown bark, clusters of white flowers, and long, maple-like leaves. Diablo Ninebark can make a dense and colorful hedge, or it can be an attractive ornamental by itself.

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Diablo Ninebark Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 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: low
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: reddish-purple
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: brown to red, exfoliating
Flowers: white
Fruit: small catkins
Berries: red
Cones: small brown cones
Seeds: inflated seed capsules
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


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: eastern ninebark, purple ninebark