Bog Labrador Tea
Rhododendron groenlandicum
- Native to:
- Canada, Greenland, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States
Nichole Ouellette/ouellette001.com
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- Rhododendron groenlandicum
- USDA Symbol:
- LEGR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Coleophora ledi, Epinotia septemberana, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Syngrapha microgamma, Syngrapha montana, Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:🛑Phyllonorycter ledella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire. Common in boreal bogs that experience periodic fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- peaty, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 3.5 - 5.5 (strongly acidic to acidic)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in bogs and wetlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are tiny and require light for germination. Surface sow on acidic, moist peat-based medium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds are collected from locally native plants within the eastern central Upper Peninsula. No artificial light is used in the greenhouse.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Requires light or the seed is very fine. Surface sow and expose to light. * sprinkle seed on 10 cm damp sphagnum moss; cover with clear plastic pop bottle cut in half; transplant seedling to acidic mix in shade outdoors when 5 cm high; protect from rodents and give protection in cold frame first winter