Gaultheria procumbens

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Gaultheria procumbens

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CheckerberryShrub, EvergreenFamily: Ericaceae

Height: 15cmSpread: 1m
Hardy

Flower colour:

Pink

Foliage colour:

Green

Position

Sun Exposure:

Full shade, partial shade

Aspect:

East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing

Soil

Acidic / Clay / Heavy / Moist

Checkerberry, Gaultheria procumbens is an evergreen shrub, native to North America. It grows to around 15cm tall but can spread up to a metre, to create an eye-catching carpet of dark green foliage, with tints of red in the autumn. This makes it a useful groundcover plant. Small, white or pink, bell-shaped flowers in summer are followed by attractive red berries. Checkerberry is easy to grow and makes an attractive edging plant for informal paths and wild garden beds. As it's a shrub with evergreen leaves, rather than a perennial, it offers year round interest. 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 partial or full shade. Some gaultheria plants are either male or female, but Gaultheria procumbens is self fertile and doesn't require another plant to produce berries. It will grow best in acid to neutral soil, or peat-free ericaceous compost if growing in a container. The creeping and suckering stems are easily controlled by chopping through them with a spade once a year.

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Advice on buying Gaultheria procumbens

Gaultheria procumbens is self fertile, so will produce berries without another plant
Be aware that this plant thrives in acid to neutral soil and will need to be planted in a container of ericaceous compost if your soil isn't suitable
Always check plants for signs of damage or disease before planting.

Where to buy Gaultheria procumbens

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Gaultheria ‘Procumbens’ and wildlife

Gaultheria ‘Procumbens’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Gaultheria ‘Procumbens’ poisonous?

Gaultheria ‘Procumbens’ is harmful if ingested.

Toxic to:

Is known to attract Cats

Cats

Is known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is known to attract People

People

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock