Korean Boxwood vs Sitka Alder - TreeTime.ca

Korean Boxwood vs Sitka Alder

Buxus microphylla Koreana

Alnus alnobetula subsp. sinuata

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

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Sitka Alder

Korean Boxwood is a vibrant evergreen shrub. A top choice for colder climates, this shrub will look stunning lining a driveway or as a foundation plant.

Easy to root in and maintain, Korean Boxwood's thick foliage is deer resistant and turns an attractive yellow-brown to purplish in winter. Consider applying mulch around the base to keep the roots moist and cool.

Sitka Alder is a native deciduous shrub or small tree that often forms dense thickets. Its extensive root system stabilizes slopes and streambanks. Nitrogen-fixing capabilities and nutrient-rich leaf litter improve soil fertility, creating better growing conditions for surrounding plants. These qualities make it especially effective in disturbed or erosion-prone sites.
Often found in moist, high-elevation mountain environments, Sitka Alder also enhances habitat by providing cover and structure in both riparian and upland areas. Birds and small mammals utilize it for nesting, and its seeds serve as a food source.
Note: We use Sitka Alder for Alnus alnobetula subsp. sinuata. This species is also known by many other common names, including Mountain Alder, Green Alder, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

Korean Boxwood Quick Facts

Sitka Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to prostrate, thicket-forming
Spreading: seed - medium, layering - medium
Suckering: none


Foliage: evergreen
Fall colour: yellow-brown to purple
Bark: redish-brown to grey, smooth
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, YT, NT
Other Names: wavy leaf alder