Grey Alder vs Snowball Viburnum - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Snowball Viburnum

Alnus incana

Viburnum opulus roseum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Grey Alder
Snowball Viburnum

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.

Snowball Viburnum is a popular ornamental shrub with prolific flowering. This plant is prized for its round clusters of white flowers that resemble snowballs, delighting children and adults. In fall, its leaves turn vibrant shades of red.

Snowball Viburnum is sought after as a single accent shrub, but can also make a dense hedge or privacy screen.

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Snowball Viburnum Quick Facts

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


Fall colour: yellow to orange
Fall colour: purplish-red
Bark: gold to gray
Flowers: white
Fruit: small catkins
Cones: small brown cones
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: european cranberrybush, guelder rose, snowball bush, snowball tree