{"product_id":"the-du-labrador","title":"Labrador Tea","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabrador Tea (\u003cem\u003eRhododendron groenlandicum\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Evergreen Shrub for Acidic Wet Soils in Ontario and Eastern Canada (Zones 1–7)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Expert Summary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Labrador Tea (\u003cem\u003eRhododendron groenlandicum\u003c\/em\u003e) is a \u003cstrong\u003eslow-growing, extremely cold-hardy\u003c\/strong\u003e evergreen shrub ideal for Ontario and Eastern Canada (Zones 1–7). It typically grows \u003cstrong\u003e4–8 in per year (10–20 cm)\u003c\/strong\u003e and reaches \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 ft (0.5–1 m)\u003c\/strong\u003e at maturity. Best for \u003cstrong\u003enaturalization\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ebog gardens\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eacidic soil planting\u003c\/strong\u003e, it offers fragrant white spring flowers and exceptional adaptation to wet, acidic soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose Labrador Tea for Ontario and Eastern Canada?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA uniquely hardy native shrub perfectly adapted to cold climates and difficult acidic soils—ideal for natural and low-maintenance landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zone 1 (Ideal for Ontario and Eastern Canada Zones 1–7)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ornament, small yards, naturalization\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Feature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fragrant white flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative \/ Non-native:\u003c\/strong\u003e Native to Canada\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt adapts well to:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaty, boggy soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoist to wet environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcidic, organic-rich soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRural and naturalized settings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCold climates and wet soil conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTree\/Shrub Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable cellpadding=\"8\" border=\"1\" style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 ft (0.5–1 m)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Spread\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 ft (0.5–1 m)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.3–0.7 ft per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 (Ideal for Ontario and Eastern Canada Zones 1–7)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun Exposure\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to partial shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil Preference\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist, acidic, organic-rich (peaty)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Needs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high (consistent moisture)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrought Tolerance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–50+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIs Labrador Tea Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose Labrador Tea if:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou want \u003cstrong\u003ea low-growing native shrub for wet areas within 3–5 years\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou have a \u003cstrong\u003esmall to medium yard or naturalized space\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou live in Zone \u003cstrong\u003e1–7\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou want \u003cstrong\u003efragrant flowers + evergreen foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou need a plant for \u003cstrong\u003ebog gardens, acidic soils, or natural landscapes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot ideal if:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour soil is dry or alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou need a fast-growing privacy hedge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou are planting in heavily urbanized, compacted soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBog or rain garden planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNaturalized landscapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWoodland edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow ornamental borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePollinator-friendly gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy it works:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense evergreen foliage, excellent tolerance to wet acidic soils, and native adaptability make it highly reliable in challenging environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Makes Labrador Tea Special?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA distinctive Canadian native shrub valued for its \u003cstrong\u003earomatic foliage and adaptability to extreme conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clusters of fragrant white flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense, dark green aromatic foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen leaves persist with subtle colour shifts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Retains foliage, adding structure in snowy landscapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWinter Survival in Ontario and Eastern Canada\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, Labrador Tea is hardy in Ontario and Eastern Canada Zones 1–7 and tolerates extreme cold, snow, and wet winter conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst-year tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd 2–3 inches of mulch (acidic mulch preferred)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep soil consistently moist before freeze-up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtect from drying winter winds if exposed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting Guide for Ontario and Eastern Canada\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest planting time:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpring (April–June)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly fall (September–October)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2–3 ft from foundations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2–3 ft between plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering (first year):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater deeply 1–2 times per week during establishment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain consistently moist soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Answers (FAQ)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does Labrador Tea grow in Ontario?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTypically 4–8 inches per year in good conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it cold hardy in Ontario?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It is hardy to Zone 1 and thrives across Ontario and Eastern Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need another plant for pollination?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo—self-sufficient, pollinated by insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the roots invasive?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo—shallow, non-invasive root system ideal for natural plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it messy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo—minimal litter, evergreen foliage remains tidy year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompare With Similar Shrubs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable cellpadding=\"8\" border=\"1\" style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eTree\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eGrowth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eKey Feature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eBest For\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/arbresenligne.com\/en\/products\/labrador-tea\" title=\"Labrador Tea (Ledum groendlandicum)\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/treesonline.ca\/products\/labrador-tea\" title=\"Labrador Tea (Ledum groendlandicum)\"\u003eLabrador Tea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative evergreen + wet soil tolerance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBog \u0026amp; naturalized areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRhododendron canadense\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePink flowers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist woodland gardens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKalmia angustifolia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen + pink blooms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcidic soils\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eShipping Across Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Provinces\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNursery-grown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully packaged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShipped to your door in Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Provinces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHealthy root system guarantee (when applicable)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExplore Related Collections\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/treesonline.ca\/collections\/deciduous-shrubs-of-eastern-canada\" title=\"Collection: Deciduous Shrubs of Eastern Canada\"\u003eDeciduous Shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Collection: Hardiness Zone 3 Plants\" href=\"https:\/\/treesonline.ca\/collections\/zone-3-plants-eastern-canada\"\u003eHardiness Zone 1 Plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/treesonline.ca\/collections\/shade-and-woodland\" title=\"Collection: For Shade and Woodland Gardens\"\u003eShade and Woodland Gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRelated articles:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/treesonline.ca\/blogs\/news\/eastern-canada-forest-spices\" title=\"Nursery Blog: Discover Eastern Canada’s Forest Spices\"\u003eDiscover Eastern Canada’s Forest Spices\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca title=\"Nursery Blog: Which Trees Are the Most Cold-Hardy in Eastern Canada?\" href=\"https:\/\/treesonline.ca\/blogs\/news\/most-cold-hardy-trees-eastern-canada\"\u003eWhich Trees Are the Most Cold-Hardy in Eastern Canada?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/treesonline.ca\/blogs\/news\/decorative-trees-in-winter\" title=\"Nursery News: Decorative Trees and Shrubs in Winter\"\u003eDecorative Trees and Shrubs in Winter\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest Native Shrubs for Wet Soils in Canada\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to Grow Plants in Acidic and Peaty Soil Conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Arbresenligne.com","offers":[{"title":"Small (110 ml)","offer_id":47437174964543,"sku":null,"price":3.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (310 ml)","offer_id":47437174997311,"sku":null,"price":6.25,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0834\/8241\/1327\/files\/The-du-Labrador-Ledum-groenlandicum-illustration.jpg?v=1702955592","url":"https:\/\/treesonline.ca\/products\/labrador-tea","provider":"Arbresenligne","version":"1.0","type":"link"}