Gaultheria procumbens is a dense evergreen, creeping North American shrub which makes an eye-catching carpet of dark green, red tinted and metallic foliage in winter, complementing its red berries, which nestle among the leaves. It’s easy to grow and makes an attractive edging plant for informal paths and wild garden beds. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Grow Gaultheria procumbens in moist but well-drained, acidic soil in full sun to partial shade. The creeping and suckering stems are easily controlled by chopping through them with a spade once a year.
How to grow Gaultheria procumbens
-
Plant size
30cm height
1.5m spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, south facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does not fruit in July |
A
Plant does fruit in August |
S
Plant does fruit in September |
O
Plant does fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Gaultheria procumbens and wildlife
Gaultheria procumbens has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Gaultheria procumbens poisonous?
Gaultheria procumbens has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
