Labrador Tea vs Ranch Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Labrador Tea vs Ranch Elderberry

Rhododendron groenlandicum (Ledum groenlandicum)

Sambucus canadensis Ranch

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Labrador Tea
Ranch 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.

Ranch Elderberry is a vigorous and high-yielding Black Elderberry cultivar. It ripens earlier than other varieties and is smaller and more compact making berry harvest easier. The berries are well-suited for baked goods, jams, jellies, and syrups. They are high in vitamin C and reported to be beneficial for the immune system.

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 Black Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries are toxic to humans when eaten in quantity. Berries should be cooked to make them safe for human consumption.

Labrador Tea Quick Facts

Ranch Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 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: 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
Flowers: white, fragrant
Flowers: fragrant, white
Berries: black
Harvest: late summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: american elderberry ranch, american ranch elderberry, ranch american elderberry