Grey Alder vs Labrador Tea - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Labrador Tea

Rhododendron groenlandicum (Ledum groenlandicum)

Alnus incana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Labrador Tea
Grey Alder

Labrador Tea is slow-growing evergreen shrub native to the boreal forests of Canada.

It thrives in wet, swampy conditions.

Labrador Tea has narrow, leathery, dark green leaves, topped by a cluster of white flowers in the spring. It is a perfect ornamental shrub for boggy, wet areas of your property.

River Alder is a large shrub or small tree with a multi-stemmed, spreading habit. It is an excellent tree to plant if you want to stabilize the soil near rivers and creeks.

Unlike the other alder varieties, River Alder is attractive enough to be included in riverside plantings by municipal and provincial park organizations.

Note: We use Grey Alder for Alnus incana. This species is also known by many other common names, including River Alder, Speckled Alder, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

Labrador Tea Quick Facts

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none

Toxicity: slightly toxic if ingested

Foliage: leathery, orange undersides, evergreen
Fall colour: rust orange
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white, fragrant
Fruit: small catkins
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder