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Genus Gaultheria

Gaultheria procumbens Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Bluestone Perennials

Synonyms: x Gaulnettya, Pernettya

The genus Gaultheria encompasses evergreen shrubs in 170 species from woodlands and moist, rocky areas of the Himalayas, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas. Foliage is leathery and sometimes glossy. The small bell-shaped flowers are followed by attractive, rounded fruit that resembles cherries or small apples. Grow in a woodland, rock garden, or as groundcover, depending on species.
Noteworthy characteristics: Evergreen, glossy leaves. Bell-shaped flowers and fleshy, round fruit. The fruit is edible, but the rest of the plant can cause mild stomach upset if eaten.
Care: Site in partial shade and acidic to neutral, peaty, moist soil. If the soil is consistently moist, full sun may be acceptable.
Propagation: Sow seeds in a cold frame in fall. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Remove rooted suckers in spring.
Problems: Fungal spots, leaf gall, black mildew, powdery mildew.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Gaultheria

Gaultheria procumbens
(Wintergreen, Checkerberry) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This creeping, rhizomatous shrublet grows to 6 inches, with scalloped or bristly toothed, glossy, dark green leaves. Foliage has a strong wintergreen scent when crushed. Urn-shaped white or pale pink flowers appear in summer and mature to aromatic scarlet fruit that often persists into the following spring.

Gaultheria shallon
(Salal, Shallon) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This compact, bushy shrub has red shoots and ovate, pointed, glossy dark green leaves. Arching racemes of urn-shaped white flowers tinged with pink appear in late spring and early summer, maturing to fleshy, spherical, purple fruit measuring a half-inch across.