Labrador Tea

Scientific name

Ledum groenlandicum

Description

Labrador Tea is a hardy, small evergreen shrub which can grow up to 1 m and can be found in every province and territory of Canada. This slow growing plant produces woolly branches with alternately arranged leaves. The leaves are recognizable by their deep green colour, wrinkly curved tops, smooth edges, and hairy, rust coloured underside. The Labrador Tea produces fragrant and showy white flowers, which grow in a large flattened cluster at the terminal ends of the branches. This shrub attracts pollinator species, such as bees and butterflies, but is slightly poisonous to mammals. Labrador Tea was collected by indigenous people to brew a tea, which is rich in vitamin C.

Planting conditions

Labrador Tea grows best in wet, acidic soil, and can tolerate a variety of sun exposure. It is most commonly found in bogs, swamps, marshes, and along wet river or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Moist
  • Wet
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
• pH:
  • Acidic
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 0a
  • 0b
  • 1a
  • 1b
  • 2a
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 1 m
• Spread:
  • 1 m