Western Sand Cherry vs Labrador Tea - TreeTime.ca

Western Sand Cherry vs Labrador Tea

Prunus pumila var besseyi

Rhododendron groenlandicum (Ledum groenlandicum)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Sand Cherry
Labrador Tea

Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.

Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.

Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.

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.

Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Labrador Tea Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: any
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Toxicity: slightly toxic if ingested
Foliage: grey-green
Foliage: leathery, orange undersides, evergreen
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Fall colour: rust orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: white, fragrant
Berries: small purple cherries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: SK, MB, ON
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE