Red Elderberry vs Green Alder - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Green Alder

Sambucus racemosa

Alnus alnobetula subsp. crispa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Red Elderberry
Green Alder

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

Green Alder is a cold hardy, native shrub. It is often planted on infertile sites so it can fix nitrogen from the air and improve the soil quality.

Green Alder is known for its smooth grey bark and attractive shiny green leaves; it is commonly used in reclamation.

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Green Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: high

Toxicity: toxic to humans

Flowers: white
Berries: bright red berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: red elder
Other Names: american green alder