Twining Honeysuckle vs Sitka Alder - TreeTime.ca

Twining Honeysuckle vs Sitka Alder

Lonicera dioica

Alnus alnobetula subsp. sinuata

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Twining Honeysuckle
Sitka Alder

Twining Honeysuckle is a vine native to the forests of Canada and the United States.

It can often be found winding up the bark of large trees or spreading out as a ground cover where no supports are present. You will love the attractive, yellow-orange flowers with pink centers which turn into red, inedible berries.

Consider Twining Honeysuckle when trying to achieve a natural, spreading, unkempt look for your garden.

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.

Twining Honeysuckle Quick Facts

Sitka Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to prostrate, thicket-forming
Spreading: seed - medium, layering - medium
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Bark: redish-brown to grey, smooth
Flowers: tubular, yellow-orange
Berries: round, red clusters
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, YT, NT
Native to: AB, BC, YT, NT
Other Names: glaucous honeysuckle, limber honeysuckle, wild honeysuckle
Other Names: wavy leaf alder