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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Ledum columbianum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. glandulosum columbianum. (Piper.)Hitchk.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea

A tea is made from the leaves[172, 257]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. It would be better to brew the tea in cold water by leaving it in a sunny place, or to make sure that it is brewed for a short time only in an open container. The leaves are used as a flavouring, they are a bayleaf substitute[172].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent Diaphoretic Diuretic Laxative Stomachic

The leaves and young flowering shoots re astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative and stomachic[172].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent

The leaves are used to repel moths, mice, rats etc[172].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a lime-free loam or peaty soil[1, 11]. Prefers a moist humus-rich acid soil in shade or semi-shade[200]. Plants grow better if they have certain fungal associations in the soil. The best way of providing this is to incorporate some soil from around well-growing established plants into the soil for the new plant[200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. The leaves are covered in tiny spots or glands from which a strong, resinous scent is given off[245]. The flowers also have an aromatic perfume[245]. Very closely related to L. glandulosum[1], and considered to be no more than a sub-species of it by some botanists[200]. Plants benefit from removing the dead flowers before they set seed[188]. This prevents them putting too much energy into seed production at the expense of more flowers and leaves.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a shady part of the greenhouse in February or March[78, 113]. Another report says that the seed is best sown in the autumn as soon as it is ripe[188]. Germination is variable and can be quite slow. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the pots on in a shady frame for 18 months before planting them out into their permanent positions[78]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in spring. Fair percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood, November/December in a frame[113]. Layering in the autumn. Takes 12 months[78]. Division.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Alberta (southwest), British Columbia (Vancouver Island)), United States (Idaho, Montana (w. & c.), Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, California, Nevada (n.e. & w.), Utah)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Ledum glandulosum	Labrador Tea, Western Labrador tea	Shrub	1.5	0-0	LMH	FSN	M	2	1	1
Ledum groenlandicum	Labrador Tea, Bog Labrador tea	Shrub	1.5	0-0	LMH	FSN	MWe	2	3	2
Ledum palustre	Wild Rosemary, Marsh Labrador tea	Shrub	1.0	0-0	LMH	FSN	MWe	2	3	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Ledum columbianum - Piper.