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Glandular Labrador Tea

Ledum glandulosum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Glandular Labrador tea is an evergreen shrub with white flower clusters that bloom from May through July, thriving in moist mountain meadows and part shade to full sun.

Glandular Labrador Tea (Ledum glandulosum)
Photo: (c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Glandular Labrador Tea (Ledum glandulosum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Glandular Labrador Tea as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

24"–48" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Labrador tea is a compact evergreen shrub with leathery dark green leaves and clusters of small white flowers in late spring and summer. This native plant thrives in partially shaded areas with consistent moisture and maintains an attractive rounded form year-round.

Growing Glandular Labrador Tea

Grow Glandular Labrador Tea in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Glandular Labrador Tea is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The fragrant white flower clusters attract bees and butterflies during the extended bloom period from May through July. This native shrub provides valuable nectar sources for pollinators during the growing season.

Common questions

When does Glandular Labrador tea bloom?
Glandular Labrador tea typically flowers from May through July, producing rounded clusters of small white blossoms at the branch tips.
What pollinators visit Glandular Labrador tea?
Bees and butterflies are the main visitors to the flowers, drawn to the clustered white blooms during the late spring and summer bloom period.
How much sun and water does this shrub need?
It does best in part shade with medium to consistently moist soil, though it can handle brighter light if roots stay cool and damp.
What kind of habitat suits this shrub?
It grows well in mountain wetlands, bogs, and moist coniferous forest edges at mid to high elevations, where cool temperatures and steady moisture are common.
Is Glandular Labrador Tea toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Glandular Labrador Tea as toxic to livestock.
Is Glandular Labrador Tea HOA-friendly?
Glandular Labrador Tea is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Glandular Labrador Tea? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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