Gaultheria procumbens
$37.99
Gaultheria procumbens is a low suckering evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves, small pink-white bells, and persistent ornamental scarlet fruit.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Gaultheria procumbens is a slow-growing, suckering evergreen shrub that spreads by rhizomes into a dense woodland carpet. Short erect shoots carry glossy, leathery, elliptic to oblong leaves that release a distinct wintergreen aroma when rubbed.
Small nodding white to pinkish urn-shaped flowers appear in early summer. They are followed by bright scarlet berry-like capsules that persist through winter, while cold-season foliage develops purple and reddish tones. The fruit is ornamental and should not be eaten.
Grow wintergreen in full or partial shade in acidic, moist but well-drained clay, loam, or sand. It performs well beneath taller shrubs, needs little pruning, and tolerates some dryness once established. Avoid lime and wear gloves when handling the plant.
Additional information
| Height | 10 cm – 50 cm |
|---|---|
| Spread | 50 cm – 100 cm |
| Flowering months | June, July |
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Propagation | Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings, and allow established rhizomes to spread naturally. |
| Pests | The plant is generally pest-free, although aphids and thrips can occasionally occur. |
| Diseases | The plant may be susceptible to leaf spot, mildew, and honey fungus where those diseases are present. |
| Pruning | Remove dead, diseased, damaged, or crossing growth and lightly trim only when needed after flowering. |
| Hazardous information | The ornamental fruit should not be eaten, and gloves are advised when handling the plant. |
| Hazardous | yes |
| Variegated | no |
| Watering instructions | Keep acidic soil evenly moist but well drained while roots establish. |
| Sunlight instructions | Grow in full or partial shade, with filtered light for best fruiting. |
| Color flower summer | White, Pink |
| Aspect | East, South, West, North |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Habit | Suckering |
| Moisture | Moist but Well Drained |
| Ph | Acid, Neutral |
| Position | Full shade, Partial shade |
| Shape | Spreading |
| Suggest planting location | Banks and slopes, Urban and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal gardens, Rock and alpine gardens, Gravel and stone gardens |
| Type | Shrub |
| Use for | Ground cover, Shade Garden, Low maintenance |
| Years to max height | 5 |
| Drought resistance | yes |
| Cultivation | |
| Soil | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Local names | Wintergreen, eastern teaberry, checkerberry, American wintergreen, Liggende bergthee, Niedere Scheinbeere, Checkerberry |
| Blomidon Item No | MO23004085, GAUPR0001G |
| Usps | |
| Common Name | Creeping Wintergreen |