Meadowsweet vs Sitka Alder - TreeTime.ca

Meadowsweet vs Sitka Alder

Filipendula ulmaria

Alnus alnobetula subsp. sinuata

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Meadowsweet
Sitka Alder

Meadowsweet gets its name from its sweet fragrance from the creamy white flowers. It is a large upright herbaceous perennial shrub. They bloom in early summer, and with the right conditions may remain throughout the season.

Take care of where you’re planting Meadowsweet as it is known to spread.

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.

Meadowsweet Quick Facts

Sitka Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to prostrate, thicket-forming
Spreading: seed - medium, layering - medium
Suckering: low


Bark: redish-brown to grey, smooth
Flowers: white
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


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