Gaultheria
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pernettya
- Phonetic Spelling
- gol-THAIR-ee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Gaultherias are evergreen shrubs of about 135 species in the heather family. They are native to North and South America, Asia and Australia. They can vary from low-growing ground-hugging shrubs of 8 inches to trees up to 20 feet tall. They can be found in warm climates of South America, the Himalayas and from California to northern Canada.
Some varieties are grown as ornamentals and others as ground covers. Most of them prefer moist peaty soil and some do well in boggy conditions. Most varieties prefer part shade-to-shade conditions but some tolerate part sun conditions. The summer flowers are bell-shaped and can be showy. Some types bear showy berry-like fruits in white, pink or red colors.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fungal spots, leaf gall, black mildew, and powdery mildew can be problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gaultheria
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Has been used in Chinese medicine to treat arthritis
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North and south America, Australia and Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds will eat the fruits
- Edibility:
- Some of the fruits are edible and can be used to make jellies. The American wintergreen is used for wintergreen flavoring and the leaves are used for teas.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Horizontal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit can be a round false berry or a dry capsule depending on the variety. The showy berry types can be white, pink or red.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Solitary flowers in axils or clusters of bell- or urn-shaped flowers with 5 petals. The color is white to pink to red
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Vary in length from 1-4 inches long. Margins are finely serrated or bristly in most species but some are entire. They are green and leathery and vary in shape
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems can be gree to reddish
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
