Red Osier Dogwood vs Red Alder - TreeTime.ca

Red Osier Dogwood vs Red Alder

Cornus sericea

Alnus rubra

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Red Osier Dogwood
Red Alder

Red Osier Dogwood is a small deciduous shrub that features deep red stems and twigs year-round, with creamy white flowers in the spring. This shrub will add a nice pop of color to your yard.

Red Osier Dogwood is an excellent soil stabilizer. It is fast growing and becomes drought tolerant once well established.

Red Alder is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to western North America. Its fixes nitrogen, which enriches soils and supports the growth of surrounding plants. Ideal for sites with poor soil conditions, or areas disturbed by logging, construction or fire.
It provides shade in riparian areas, creating cover for fish. Its seeds and buds are eaten by birds and small mammals, while the foliage provides browse for wildlife. The catkins release clouds of pollen attracting bees and other insects.
The Red Alder gets its namesake from the rusty-red color the bark turns when bruised.

Red Osier Dogwood Quick Facts

Red Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 5b
Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, rounded to conical
Spreading: seeds - medium, stump sprouting - medium
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: dark red
Bark: dark red, showy
Bark: smooth, grey
Flowers: white
Berries: white waxy
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes

In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: BC
Other Names: american dogwood, california dogwood, creek dogwood, dogberry tree, red dogwood, red twig dogwood, redosier dogwood, redstem dogwood, western dogwood
Other Names: oregon alder, pacific coast alder, western alder