- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 12 - 15 Feet
- Mature Spread 12 - 15 Feet
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
Speckled Alder is a native on the east side of the Mississippi River and is common in areas with wet and sandy soils along streams and lakes. Alnus incana ssp. rugosa gets its common name from the white, raised lenticels on its dark-colored stems. This deciduous shrub has a glorious yellow fall color and brownish-colored catkins in spring that appear just before the leaves sprout.
Speckled alder can be grown as a single-trunk tree or left to spread naturally by its underground suckers. Use its spreading to fill in large areas and form a windbreak or habitat for local wildlife. The leathery leaves support the caterpillars of the green comma butterfly, while other small animals and insects eat the bark, seeds, and wooly aphids that may attack this shrub. The wettest zones of a rain garden and along ponds or streams are ideal locations to plant speckled alder.
Speckled Alder Care
Speckled Alder prefers wet soil with an average or sandy texture. At least 6 hours of direct sun is preferred. This shrub is cold tolerant and grows well in USDA zones 3-6; however, it does not tolerate high heat and humidity south of zone 6. Speckled alder requires acidic soil and will show signs of chlorosis in a pH level above neutral (7.0). Fertilizing is not necessary.
Pruning is only needed to control the spread and dense growth of speckled alder. Cut the oldest branches down to the base of the shrub in late winter, along with any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Deadheading or thinning is not required when this shrub is grown to support wildlife habitat. Mulch the root zone annually with arborist chips or shredded leaves to improve moisture retention; this is especially beneficial for shrubs planted in drier locations of the garden.
Speckled Alder Spacing
Speckled Adler can spread 12-15 feet, which means each shrub needs to be spaced 12 feet from the center of the next. You can plant the shrubs closer for quick cover; however, pruning will need to be done seasonally to ensure the area does not become overgrown.
Speckled Alder Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Bushes |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 12 - 15 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 12 - 15 Feet |
| Spacing: 12 - 15 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Green |
| Flower Description: Green Shades |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Deep green on dark warty stems |
| Seasonal Interest: Fall Interest |
| Watering: High |
| Resists: N/A |
| Tolerates: N/A |
| Attracts: Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Windbreaks |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Fragrant |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Speckled Alder |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Alnus incana subsp. rugosa |
- SKU:
- 1231002753-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
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Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
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Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations