Rhododendron tomentosum

Common Names

Labrador Tea, Wild Rosemary, Northern Labrador Tea, Marsh Labrador Tea, Marsh Tea, Trapper's Tea, Marsh Rosemary

Summary

A small evergreen upright shrub, 0.3–1.2 m tall, with linear to narrowly elliptic-oblong leaves 1.2–5 cm long, margins recurved and a dense rusty indumentum. White flowers 4–8 mm in dense clusters. Native to North and Central Europe, European Russia to South Siberia and very common in Finland, occupying moors, pine forests and bogs.

It is harvested in the wild for food, medicine, and materials and is grown as an ornamental. Moderately cold hardy to about −15 °C when dormant; prefers lime-free loam or peaty, moist humus-rich acidic soil and thrives in shade or semi-shade, with more sun for better flowering, and benefits from fungal associations. Propagation by seed (surface sow in shaded greenhouse late winter/early spring or autumn sowing) or by cuttings, layering, or division. Deadheading can promote flowering. Uses include insect deterrent and tea from leaves with caution due to Ledol.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Boggy, acidic soil; pH 4.5–5.5; consistently moist, well-aerated.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained; well-draining soil, preferably peat/acidic or lime-free loam or peaty soil.

Soil pH

4.5-5.5 (acidic)

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Dark green on the upper surface; underside whitish to rusty.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color; evergreen leaves stay green year-round.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and other pollinators