Gaultheria shallon, salal
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Vines & Groundcovers

Gaultheria shallon

salal

EricaceaePacific Coast, Alaska to California

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitSpreading
FoliageEvergreen
Height1 1/2–5 feet (0.45–1.5 m) — varies with light
WidthSpreads indefinitely by rhizomes
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Drought Tolerant
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Gaultheria shallon is an evergreen shrub forming spreading colonies 1 1/2–5 feet (0.45–1.5 m) tall, spreading widely by underground rhizomes. Height varies significantly with light: plants in deep shade grow 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) tall and more upright; plants in sunny, drier sites remain 1 1/2–2 feet (0.45–0.6 m) tall and denser. Stems are reddish-brown when young, becoming woody and dark brown with age. Leaves are leathery, broadly oval to broadly elliptic, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long with finely serrated margins; the upper surface is glossy dark green, the underside paler. In May through June, elongated one-sided racemes of 5–15 urn-shaped white to pale pink flowers approximately 3/8 inch (9 mm) long hang from reddish glandular-hairy rachises below new shoot growth. Flowers are followed by dark purple to nearly black round berries approximately 1/3–1/2 inch (8–13 mm) in diameter with a distinctive hairy surface; berries ripen July–September and are edible with a mild sweet flavor, historically important as a food source for Pacific Northwest Indigenous peoples. A dominant understory plant throughout Pacific Northwest conifer forests from Alaska to California. Berries attract numerous bird species and mammals.

Native Range

Native to the Pacific Coast of North America from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California to Santa Barbara County. Found from sea level to subalpine elevations in coniferous forest understories, woodland margins, coastal bluffs, and disturbed areas in acidic, well-drained to moderately moist soils. A keystone species in Pacific Northwest Douglas-fir forest understories.

Suggested Uses

Used as a native groundcover or shrub layer in woodland gardens, under conifers, on shaded slopes for erosion control, or in native plant restoration plantings. The leathery foliage is used in the cut flower trade as a long-lasting filler green. Berries attract numerous bird species including thrushes, waxwings, and grouse. A keystone plant for Pacific Northwest native and wildlife gardens. Large-scale spreading habit suits it to woodland naturalization rather than small formal borders.

How to Identify

Identified by the large leathery broadly oval leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long on reddish-brown stems, combined with the one-sided racemes of white to pink urn-shaped flowers, and the dark purple-black hairy berries. The combination of reddish stems, large leathery leaves, and hairy dark berries is distinctive. Distinguished from Gaultheria procumbens by its much greater height (1.5–5 feet vs. 3–6 inches), larger leaves (2–4 inches vs. 1–2 inches), and dark purple-black (not red) berries. The glandular-hairy surface of the berry is diagnostic within the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 5'
Width/Spread2' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

dark green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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Spring
Flowers May through June. One-sided racemes of 5–15 urn-shaped white to pale pink flowers approximately 3/8 inch (9 mm) long hang from reddish glandular-hairy rachises below new shoot growth. Dark purple to nearly black round berries with hairy surface, approximately 1/3–1/2 inch (8–13 mm) in diameter, ripen July through September; berries persist into fall. Edible; historically significant food source for Pacific Northwest Indigenous peoples.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink (urn-shaped in one-sided racemes)

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green above, paler beneath; broadly oval, leathery, finely serrated; reddish-brown stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Full Sun
Tolerates up to 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandhumus-richrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3–5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

One of the most adaptable and low-maintenance native shrubs for Pacific Northwest gardens. Grows in full shade to partial sun; dense shade produces taller, more open plants while partial sun produces shorter, denser growth. Tolerates poor, acidic, rocky, or sandy soils; the rhizomatous system stabilizes slopes effectively. Water weekly for the first growing season; established plants are drought-tolerant and require no supplemental irrigation in typical Pacific Northwest conditions. No fertilization needed. The spreading habit is an asset for erosion control and mass planting but requires management in small gardens — rhizomes can be controlled by edging 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) deep. Commercially grown for the cut foliage trade.

Pruning

Tolerates heavy pruning including cutting to ground level; regrowth from rhizomes is vigorous. Hard pruning in early spring rejuvenates overgrown plants and encourages compact regrowth. For groundcover or border use, edge rhizomes annually to control spread. Remove dead or crossing stems as needed.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic; berries edible — historically used as food by Pacific Northwest Indigenous peoples