
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
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.

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

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

Best in Class Warranty
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
Arrival Guarantee
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Free 1-Year Plant Warranty
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.