Featured

Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

New arrivals

What we're loving now

Gifts

Perennials

Trees

Shrubs

Conifers

Ferns

Succulents

Grasses / grass like

Groundcovers

Vines

Herbs, fruits & vegetables

Annuals & Biennials

Bamboos

Palms & cycads

Garden vibe

Flower and fruit colors

Foliage colors

Soil types

Water needs

Gardening with wildlife

Special situations

Sun exposure

Houseplants

Spring flowers

Summer flowers

Fall flowers

Colorful fall foliage

Winter flowers

Winter interest

Evergreens

Distinctive bark

Shop nurseries with current availability

California & southwestern nurseries

Oregon nurseries

Washington nurseries

Midwest nurseries

Northeast nurseries

Southern nurseries

Nurseries outside of the US

Garden Educators

All new arrivals

Perennials

Ferns

Cacti and succulents

Groundcovers

Bulbs, corms and tubers

Epimediums (Fairy Wings)

Hamamelis (Witch Hazels)

Helleborus (Hellebores)

Hostas

Hydrangeas

Acers (Maples)

Magnolias

Gift cards

Air plants

Succulents

Houseplants

All Perennials

Aquatic

Aroids

Bulbs/corms/tubers

All trees

Deciduous

Evergreens

Conifers

Broadleaf

Broadleaf evergreens

Street trees

Fragrant trees

Flowering trees

All shrubs

Deciduous

Evergreens

Conifers

Broadleaf

Broadleaf evergreen

Green flowers

Blue & purple flowers

Black flowers

White flowers

Pink flowers

Red flowers

Orange flowers

Yellow flowers

All conifers

Trees

Shrubs

Groundcovers

Dwarf conifers

Variegated

Rosy tones

Blue / silver foliage

Green foliage

Gold & chartreuse

All ferns

For shade

For sun

Tree ferns

Variegated

Blush tones

Gold and chartreuse

Green

Blue

All cacti & succulents

Hardy cacti & succulents

All bromeliads

For sun

For shade

Houseplants

Variegated

Blush tones

Green

Golds & chartreuses

Silvers / blues

All grasses / grass-like

For sun

For shade

Evergreens

Deciduous

Variegated

Blush foliage

Purple, brown & black foliage

Gold and chartreuse foliage

Green foliage

Blue foliage

All groundcovers

Evergreen

Deciduous

Succulents

For sun

For shade

All vines

For sun

For shade

White flowers

Pink and red flowers

Orange and peach flowers

Yellow flowers

Green flowers

Blue, purple & black flowers

Fruit trees and shrubs

Fruits & vegetable plants

Herbs

All annuals & biennials

All bamboos

All palms and cycads

Tropical style

Cottage garden style

Rock garden

Cutting garden

Woodland garden

Fragrance garden

White flowers

Pink flowers

Red flowers

Orange

Yellow flowers

Green flowers

Blue flowers

Purple flowers

Burgundy flowers

Black flowers

Bronze flowers

Variegated foliage

Pink foliage

Red foliage

Bronze & apricot foliage

Gold foliage

Chartreuse foliage

Green foliage

Wet soil

Clay soil

Acidic soil

Alkaline soil

Lean soil

Gritty soil

Rocky soil

Standing water

Even moisture

Frequent water

Regular water

Occasional water

Low water

Wildlife friendly

Bird friendly

Hummingbird friendly

Butterfly friendly

Bee friendly

Beneficial insect friendly

Good for hedges

Good for trellises

Good for edging

Good for bonsai

Good for containers

Sun

Mostly sun

Bright shade

Dappled shade

Mostly shade

Shade

All houseplants

Aroids

Bromeliads

Bulbs, corms & tubers

Ferns

Orchids

Perennials

Shrubs / small trees

Succulents

Vines

All spring flowers

Trees and shrubs

Annuals and perennials

Cacti and succulents

Groundcovers

Grass-like plants

Vines

Bulbs / corms / tubers

All summer flowers

Trees and shrubs

Annuals and perennials

Cacti and succulents

Groundcovers

Grass-like plants

Vines

Bulbs / corms / tubers

All fall flowers

Trees and shrubs

Annuals and perennials

Cacti and succulents

Groundcovers

Grass-like plants

Vines

Bulbs / corms / tubers

All fall foliage

Trees

Shrubs

Perennials

Conifers

Grass-like plants

Groundcovers

Vines

All winter flowers

Trees and shrubs

Bulbs / corms / tubers

Perennials

All winter interest

Trees

Shrubs

Perennials

All evergreens

All broadleaf evergreens

Broadleaf evergreen trees

Broadleaf evergreen shrubs

Broadleaf evergreen perennials

Broadleaf evergreen groundcovers

Broadleaf evergreen herbs

Broadleaf evergreen vines

All plants with distinctive bark

Trees

Shrubs

Andesite Native Plants

Bloom River Gardens

Cistus Nursery

Conifer Kingdom

Dry Oasis Plants

Gossler Farms

Hydrangeas Plus

Forestfarm

Red Panda Nursery

Waltzing Matilija

Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Cactus Jungle

Digging Dog Nursery

Eden's blooms

Native Sons

Succulent Gardens

The Watershed Nursery

Dancing Oaks Nursery

Daryll's Nursery

Edelweiss Perennials

Flat Creek Nursery

Garden World

Heritage Seedlings

Jockey Hill Nursery

Little Prince

Mini Forest By Sky

Oregon Grown Tree Farms

Briggs Plant Propagators

Desert Jewels Nursery

Far Reaches Farm

Keeping it Green Nursery

Kigi Nursery

Kiona Native Plants

Lael's Moon Garden

Arrowhead Alpines

Boehm's Garden Center

Botanophilia

Chicagoland Grows® Plant Introduction Program

Intrinsic Perennial Gardens

Avant Gardens

Accents for Home and Garden

jiovi® at Foxgreen Farm

Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

Morrison's Home and Garden

Summersweet Gardens at Perennial Pleasures

Almost Eden

Bat Cave Botanicals

Brantley Palms

Brian's Botanicals

Brushwood Nursery

Edens Blooms

Far South Wholesale

Florida Hill Nursery

Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd. (Canada)

The Ruth Bancroft Garden

Chicagoland Grows® Plant Introduction Program

Plant Select®

Trees

Conifers

Fruits and vegetables

Shrubs

Agaves (Century Plants)

Aloe

Opuntias (Prickly Pears)

Sempervivums (Hens and Chicks)

Sedums (Stonecrops)

Acers / Maples

Acer palmatum / Japanese maples

Cornus / Dogwoods

Hamamelis / Witch hazels

Magnolias

Osmanthus

Quercus / Oaks

Stewartias

Arctostaphylos / Manzanitas

Berberis & Mahonias

Buxus / Boxwoods

Camellias

Daphnes

Hamamelis / Witch Hazels

Hebes / Veronicas

Hydrangeas

Magnolias

Rhododendrons & Azaleas

Viburnums

Abies / Firs

Cedrus / Cedars

Chamaecyparis / Cypress

Cryptomeria / Japanese Cedars

Juniperus / Junipers

Picea / Spruces

Pinus / Pines

Taxus / Yews

Thuja / Arborvitaes

Tsuga / Hemlocks

Adiantums / Maidenhair ferns

Athyriums / Lady ferns

Aspleniums / Bird's nests & more

Blechnums / Hard ferns

Dryopteris / Wood ferns

Osmundas

Polypodiums

Polystichums / Shield Ferns

Agaves / Century plants

Aloes

Crassulas

Delospermas / ice plants

Echeverias

Mangaves

Opuntias / Prickly pears

Tillandsias / Air plants

Sedums / stonecrops

Sempervivums / Hens and chicks

Acorus / Sweet flags

Carex / Sedges

Liripoes / Lily Turfs

Ophiopogons / Mondo grasses

Phormiums / New Zealand Flaxes

Spring flowering

Summer flowering

Fall flowering

Winter flowering

Aristolochia / Dutchman's pipe

Hydrangeas

White fruit

Pink fruit

Red fruit

Orange fruit

Yellow fruit

Green fruit

Blue fruit

Purple fruit

Black fruit

Blue foliage

Burgundy foliage

Purple foliage

Black foliage

Fall color

Well-drained soil

Rich soil

Average soil

Adaptable to different soils

Drought tolerant

Dry in winter

Dry in summer

Deer resistant

Slug and snail resistant

Rabbit resistant

Heat tolerant

Humidity tolerant

Pollution tolerant

Seaside / salt tolerant

Erosion control

Wind tolerant

Verticillium wilt resistant

Tillandsias / Air plants

Aloes

Crassulas

Echeverias

Haworthias

Philodendrons

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Green

Blue and purple

Black

Tan and chocolate

Burgundy

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Green

Blue and purple

Black

Tan and chocolate

Burgundy

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Green

Blue and purple

Black

Chocolate and tan

Burgundy

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Green

Blue and purple

Black

Chocolate and tan

Burgundy

All evergreen conifers

Dwarf conifers

Conifer trees

Conifer shrubs

Conifer groundcovers

Variegated conifers

Silver and blue conifers

Blushing conifers

Gold and chartreuse conifers

Classic green conifers

Maples N More Nursery

Sebright Gardens

Secret Garden Growers

Sunshine Farm and Gardens

Noname Nursery

Oregon Palm Nursery

Pomarius Nursery

Premier Landscaping & Yard Care

Rare Plant Research

Shinglehouse Nursery and Design

Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

Thicket

Thompson's Nursery

Treephoria

Whitman Farms

Young's Garden Gift & Pond

Rhododendron Species Foundation

The Desert Northwest

Two Green Thumbs Miniatures

Wanderlust Nursery

Maplestone Ornamentals

Old House Gardens

Prairie Nursery

Hewitt Garden and Design Center

jensfarm maples

The Kinsey Family Farm

Paradise Found Nursery

Tidwell Nurseries

Utility Research Garden

Violetsblew

Photo of Gaultheria shallon foliage by Briggs Plant Propagators

Photo by Briggs Plant Propagators View Original Photo

Photo of Gaultheria shallon close-up, flower by Walter Siegmund

Photo of Gaultheria shallon flower, foliage by Walter Siegmund

Photo of Gaultheria shallon flower by J.G. in SF

Photo of Gaultheria shallon fruit by J.G. in SF

Photo of Gaultheria shallon flower by The Watershed Nursery

Gaultheria shallon

Also Known As

Salal
Shallon

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 1'-5'
W: 5'-6'

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Gaultheria shallon plant details

Gaultheria shallon is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring white flowers emerge followed by black and purple fruit. Features glossy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Gaultheria shallon

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: ericaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 5 FT - 6 FT - wide, 1 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring
Uses: edible, native plant, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Gaultheria shallon

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This superb evergreen shrub native to the western United States is beautiful year-round creating spreading 3-6' thickets (perfect for birds) with large, deep-green, leathery leaves on red-stalks, its sweet spring into summer pink urn-shaped flowers are followed by very tasty blue-black berries, the berries were an important food source for Native Americans and are wonderful as a trail snack or in pies or jams. S-PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

This lovely BC native has leathery mid green, evergreen foliage on arching stems. The spring flowers hang like tiny white to pale pink bells and are followed by edible black berries that were prized by First Nations peoples. Great for the woodland garden, in dry shade and as greenery in flower arrangements.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A Pacific Northwest forest shrub, Salal's landscape potential is often overlooked. Shiny, long-lasting leaves, showy flower. Low-maintenance landscape border. Prune low every 3-5 years. Edible fruit.

By: Heritage Seedlings

Salal is a spreading evergreen shrub growing to 1.5' tall and 4' wide. It has dark blue, edible berries that have a unique, albeit bland flavor. Salal berries were once a significant source of food among Native Americans. Salal is versatile in that it can thrive in both sunny and shady conditions. In moist, coastal climates, salal tends to form deep thickets. Salal can be used for erosion control, ground cover, hedge, or massing. In your backyard, once it is established, it can live off very little water. Its shiny green leaves and white and pink urn shaped flowers (April - July) go great in floral and garden arrangements. Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. It's rambling habit helps stabilize slopes. Birds enjoy the berries. Larval host for brown elfin butterfly. The fruit is a source of food for many animals. Gaultheria shallon berries were a significant food resource for native people, who both ate them fresh and dried them into cakes. They were also used as a sweetener, and the Haida used them to thicken salmon eggs. Found in forest understory, coastal woods or brushy places. Communitites located in Mixed Evergreen Forest, Redwood Forest, Closed-cone Pine Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub Between 0 and 2,624 feet.

By: The Watershed Nursery

Mounding evergreen shrub to 4' with vigorous stolons and red stems carrying broad, sharply pointed, dark green leaves. Racemes of pink flowers in late spring and early summer are followed by edible purple berries resembling huckleberries, but with a bland flavor. Hardy to 10F or below. Western North America (Alaska to California.)

By: Native Sons

Showy white flowers. Black edible berries.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Evergreen ground cover with shiny round leaves, white urn-shaped flowers and black-blue fruit. Variable in height from 1' to 5' or more on the coast.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

A native to the Pacific Northwest. Use in shade or partial shade. Large, dark green leaves and purple-black berries make it an impressive groundcover.

By: Briggs Plant Propagators