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Gaultheria procumbens

Also Known As

Wintergreen

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 4"-8"
W: 24"-36"

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Gaultheria procumbens plant details

Gaultheria procumbens is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring pink and white flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture water. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Gaultheria procumbens

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: ericaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 4 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: pink and white blooms in spring
Uses: edible, fragrant, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Gaultheria procumbens

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: deer, humidity
Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

For many, roaming the woods and eating Wintergreen berries is a happy childhood memory. The bright red berries and leaves have a distinctly pleasing wintergreen flavor. This fine shade-loving ground cover is native to the woodlands from Manitoba to the eastern United States. Very attractive, glossy, evergreen rounded leaves (purple-tinted in winter) and delicate, waxy, white flowers which become the large edible fruit. This pretty little 6" creeper makes a perfect groundcover for woodland, edible and rock gardens. The fruit is an important food source for pheasant, squirrel and deer. One used medicinally as a poultice for aching joints. Sh-PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

This wonderful low growing evergreen ground cover provides year round interest. Petite, bell-shaped white flowers with a touch of pink are followed by bright scarlet berries nestled among the glossy green leaves. These will hold throughout winter and into the following spring. The leaves are still used to make tea and the crushed berries have wonderful wintergreen scent. These are well rooted plants, though it's not unusual for them to take a year to establish themselves in a new garden.

By: Bloom River Gardens

This beautiful, lush, evergreen groundcover has wonderful jewel like berries in the fall after the little summer flowers. Very useful under shrubs and along paths.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Of the heather family, having white, urn-shaped flowers. This low, stoloniferous ground cover requires an acidic, moist, woodland soil for best success, where it thrives in company with azaleas, Kalmia and woodland wildflowers. An endearing, classy evergreen with shiny burgundy-colored winter foliage.

By: Heritage Seedlings

Known as Wintergreen, Teaberry, Mountain Tea - a creeping evergreen mat of glossy waxy leaves producing white flowers in spring to summer followed by large red berries in late fall and winter. It is deer resistant and makes a great ground cover for sun or shade. Birds love the berries. It has been a source of wintergreen flavoring. Hardy in zone 3-8, grows 8-10"

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Pinkish-white flowers. Edible red berries.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

A beautiful, hardy creeping, rhizomatous groundcover grows to 6" tall, with shiny, deep green foliage. The flowers are white, urn-shaped bells, which produce showy, edible red berries of wintergreen flavor. Space 1-2' apart for good coverage.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

A slow-growing evergreen groundcover with glossy green leaves that give off a wintergreen odor when crushed. Pinkish-white flowers appear off and on through the growing season and are followed by red berries. Demands humus-rich, acid soil and shade. Excellent for Christmas sales. AGM winner.