Gaultheria spp.
wintergreens
The Americas, eastern Asia, and Australasia
Overview
Gaultheria spp. is a genus of roughly 130 to 180 species of evergreen shrubs in the heath family, Ericaceae, distributed through the Americas, eastern Asia, and Australasia, mostly in cool, moist, acidic mountain and woodland habitats. The genus ranges in habit from creeping mats a few inches high, such as the eastern North American wintergreen G. procumbens, to dense upright shrubs 3-7 ft (1-2 m) tall, such as salal G. shallon. The leathery, glossy leaves are alternate and oval, deep green and often bronzing in cold weather, and many species release a wintergreen scent when crushed. Small urn- or bell-shaped flowers in white to pink hang singly or in clusters in late spring and summer, followed by fleshy berry-like fruits in red, white, blue, or purple-black that often persist through winter. The fruits draw birds and are edible in some species, though the foliage of many contains methyl salicylate, the source of oil of wintergreen. Plants need cool, moist, acidic, humus-rich soil in part to full shade and grow poorly in heat, drought, and lime. They spread by creeping stems or suckers to form ground-covering colonies, and need little care in suitable conditions.
Native Range
The genus is widespread in cool temperate and montane regions of North and South America, eastern Asia, and Australasia, including New Zealand and Tasmania. Wintergreen G. procumbens and salal G. shallon are North American species, while G. mucronata comes from southern South America.Suggested Uses
Creeping species are grown as evergreen ground cover in shaded, acidic woodland gardens and at the front of peat and heather beds. Upright species are used as informal shade hedging and screening, and for their persistent fruit. Cut fruiting stems of G. mucronata are used in winter arrangements.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 7'
Width/Spread1' - 5'
Bloom Information
Flowering comes in late spring and summer, generally May to August, in small nodding urn- or bell-shaped flowers of white to pink. The bloom is modest, and the main display follows as the fruit colours up from late summer. Berry-like fruits in red, white, or blue persist on many species through autumn and winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pinkFoliage Description
glossy deep green, bronzing in winterGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Gaultheria spp. needs cool, moist, acidic, humus-rich, freely draining soil at pH around 4.5-6.0, in part to full shade. The genus grows poorly in heat, drought, alkaline soil, and full exposure, and foliage scorches in dry sun. Steady moisture and a mulch of leaf mould or pine needles suit the shallow roots. Plants spread by creeping stems or suckers and can be divided to propagate or to limit spread. Few pests trouble them, though root rot follows waterlogged soil and chlorosis appears on limey ground. The foliage of many species contains methyl salicylate and can be harmful if eaten in quantity.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Trim straggly or winter-damaged stems in spring to keep plants compact, and shear creeping species lightly to renew dense ground cover. Upright species such as salal can be cut back hard in spring to control size, regrowing from the base.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons