How much sun does Hazel alder need?

Hazel alder grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Hazel alder bloom?

Hazel alder blooms in March and April.

Where is Hazel alder native?

Hazel alder (Alnus rugosa) is native to CT, IA, IL, IN and 16 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Hazel alder host?

Hazel alder is a larval host plant for Dusky Azure and Alder Sawfly.

Is Hazel alder HOA-friendly?

Hazel alder takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Hazel alder

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Alnus rugosa

Last reviewed: October 2026

Toxicity unknown

Hazel alder (Alnus rugosa) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

96"–240" H × 96"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

CT, IA, IL, IN and 16 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Hazel alder.

Try it with your yard

Multi-stemmed, thicket-forming shrub of stream banks, wet meadows and swamp edges, with speckled gray bark and toothed leaves. Dangling catkins open in very early spring.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hazel alder takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: rain garden, stream bank.

Suckers into thickets and needs wet soil

Wildlife value

Host plant for Dusky Azure, Alder Sawfly.

Early catkins give pollen to bees. Dense stems shelter nesting songbirds, and seeds feed finches and siskins. Roots fix nitrogen and hold wet banks.

Common questions

How much sun does Hazel alder need?: Hazel alder grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Hazel alder bloom?: Hazel alder blooms in March and April.
Where is Hazel alder native?: Hazel alder (Alnus rugosa) is native to CT, IA, IL, IN and 16 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Hazel alder host?: Hazel alder is a larval host plant for Dusky Azure and Alder Sawfly.
Is Hazel alder HOA-friendly?: Hazel alder takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Hazel alder? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app