Labrador Tea vs Porthos Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Labrador Tea vs Porthos Cherry

Prunus cerasus Porthos

Rhododendron groenlandicum (Ledum groenlandicum)

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Porthos Cherry
Labrador Tea

Porthos Cherry is a cold-hardy dwarf sour cherry that features white spring flowers followed by large, dark red fruit in mid-to-late summer. Among sour cherries, Porthos is exceptionally sweet with well-balanced acidity. These cherries are ideal for fresh eating, freezing, baking, winemaking, and preserves.

Porthos Cherry was developed by the University of Saskatchewan Fruit Program as part of the Musketeer series and released in 2022. They recommended growing dwarf sour cherries as a shrub rather than a small tree. The shrub form tends to bear fruit earlier and is less susceptible to winterkill.

Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting with additional varieties for cross-pollination can increase yields.

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.

Porthos Cherry Quick Facts

Labrador Tea Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: semi upright, compact
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: slightly toxic if ingested
Foliage: leathery, orange undersides, evergreen
Fall colour: rust orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: white, fragrant
Bloom time: mid to late spring
Fruit: deep red
Flavor: sweet with balanced acidity
Harvest: mid to late summer
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: porthos sour cherry