Labrador Tea vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Labrador Tea vs Black Elderberry

Rhododendron groenlandicum (Ledum groenlandicum)

Sambucus canadensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Labrador Tea
Black Elderberry

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.

Black Elderberry is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. You can plant this shrub in moist areas and it will help stabilize your soil. You can also use it on rural properties anywhere you'd use a lilac.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Ranch Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries of the Black Elderberry are poisonous to humans when eaten in quantity. You should cook the berries to make them safe for human consumption.

Labrador Tea Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: any
Light: any
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: slightly toxic if ingested

Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Foliage: leathery, orange undersides, evergreen
Fall colour: rust orange
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: white, fragrant
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Berries: black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry