Gaultheria mucronata

Chilean pernettya

Ericaceae

Overview

Gaultheria mucronata is an exceptional evergreen shrub native to southern South America that has adapted remarkably well to Pacific Northwest gardens. This slow-growing member of the heath family forms a dense, compact mound of small, leathery foliage that serves as an excellent year-round foundation plant. The true standout feature of G. mucronata is its stunning display of colorful berries that persist through winter, providing visual interest during the Pacific Northwest's gray months. Previously classified as Pernettya mucronata, this versatile shrub combines ornamental appeal with practical garden applications, thriving in the region's acidic soils and moderate climate conditions. G. mucronata makes an excellent choice for woodland gardens, rock gardens, or as a striking container specimen in Pacific Northwest landscapes.

How to Identify

Gaultheria mucronata can be identified by its small, densely arranged leathery leaves with sharply pointed tips that give the plant its common name of 'prickly heath.' The foliage is dark green, glossy, and arranged alternately along stiff stems. Female plants produce distinctive round berries in various colors including white, pink, red, or purple, depending on the selection. The bell-shaped flowers are small, waxy, and typically white to pale pink, appearing in leaf axils during late spring.