Grey Alder vs Northern Bush Honeysuckle - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Alnus incana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Bush Honeysuckle
Grey Alder

The Northern Bush Honeysuckle is a small, dense, deciduous shrub. The trumpet-like yellow flowers bloom late spring to early summer. Dark green leaves turn yellow then red in the fall. The flower nectar has a sweet honey taste that can be sucked out of the flower.

Because of its aggressive suckering habit, the Northern Bush Honeysuckle makes a great hedge, shrub border, or thicket in a woodland garden.

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.

Northern Bush Honeysuckle Quick Facts

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


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


Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: low bush honeysuckle
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder