Gaultheria: Planting, Growing and Caring

Botany

Wintergreen comprises around 165 species of small evergreen shrubs, with upright or creeping stems. They originate mainly from the Americas (North and South), but also from eastern Asia and Australia. The most well-known and cultivated is the Creeping Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens, which comes from North America (Canada and the United States). Wintergreen grows primarily in woodland areas, on moist and acidic soils, but also in rocky environments. These are hardy plants, tolerating between -15 °C and -25 °C depending on the species.

Wintergreen belongs to the heather family, Ericaceae, like many heather soil shrubs: azaleas and rhododendrons, Kalmias, Andromedas (Pieris), Leucothoe, Enkianthus, blueberries and cranberries (Vaccinium). It is therefore not surprising that it thrives under similar growing conditions.

Gaultheria procumbens: Botanical illustration

Wintergreen was named in honour of Jean-François Gaultier (1708-1756). Previously, species from the Southern Hemisphere were separated into the genus Pernettya, but they were later renamed Gaultheria. This is the case, for example, with Gaultheria mucronata.

Most cultivated wintergreens are small shrubs with a very low, cushion-like or creeping habit. The Gaultheria procumbens, for example, forms a ground cover that does not exceed 15 cm in height! Slightly taller, the Gaultheria mucronata reaches 80 cm in height, while the Gaultheria shallon forms a true small shrub that reaches 1.20 to 1.50 m in all directions at maturity.

Wintergreen has evergreen foliage, which remains decorative even in winter! It bears small ovate or elliptical, leathery leaves, generally measuring 2 to 3 cm long (and up to 10 cm in some species). The leaves are inserted alternately on the stems (one leaf after another). Those of Gaultheria procumbens are glossy blue-green, slightly dentate along the edge of the lamina. They turn red at the end of the year under the effect of cold.

Gaultheria procumbens flowers from spring to autumn, from May to September, while Gaultheria mucronata and Gaultheria shallon flower in spring (May-June). Wintergreen then produces beautiful small rounded bell-shaped flowers, white or pink, resembling bells and measuring 4 to 7 mm long. They are solitary or clustered, inserted in the axil of the leaves on a short peduncle. The corolla tube opens into five very short lobes, corresponding to the five fused petals. The flower also bears five small sepals at the base, surrounding the petals.

The flowers of Gaultheria shallon and G. procumbens, the foliage of G. procumbens (photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień)

In autumn, wintergreen produces small globular, fleshy berries, resembling pearls! Depending on the variety, they can be red, pink, purple, dark blue or white. Some horticultural varieties have even been selected specifically for their colourful fruits. The berries measure about 1 cm in diameter and add a beautiful splash of colour to the garden in winter! They are pseudocarps, formed by the calyx (sepals) which swells and thickens after fertilisation. The true fruit is the small capsule in the middle of the calyx, which contains the seeds. The berries remain in place all winter, sometimes until spring… if they are not devoured by birds, who love them!

Most wintergreens are dioecious: there are male plants (bearing only male flowers, with stamens) and female plants (bearing female flowers, with a pistil, and producing colourful berries containing the seeds after pollination). Therefore, to enjoy the decorative fruits, it is best to plant several specimens.

The fruits of Gaultheria procumbens are edible, and its leaves can be used to make tea, earning it the nickname Eastern Teaberry. Wintergreen also produces an essential oil, often marketed as “wintergreen essential oil”. It is reputed for joint and muscle comfort, especially for athletes. It is said to have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects, and can be used to treat arthritis, tendonitis, rheumatism, cramps, and migraines.

The berries of wintergreens take on different shades depending on the species and varieties. From left to right, Gaultheria procumbens, G. mucronata, G. fragrantissima (photo: Jamer Gaither) and G. procumbens ‘Gaulthier Pearl’

The main varieties of wintergreen

The Most Popular Varieties

Our Favourite Varieties

Gaultheria procumbens - Creeping Wintergreen

Also known as Eastern Teaberry or Checkerberry, this species native to North America forms a ground cover bearing small, glossy, blue-green elliptical leaves. It also produces bell-shaped flowers, followed by scarlet-red berries. This is the most widely cultivated species.

• Flowering time June to October
• Height at maturity 15 cm

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Gaultheria procumbens Color Surprise - American Wintergreen

Very similar to the previous species, this wintergreen also forms a low, spreading ground cover but stands out with its variable-coloured berries—white, pink, or red. These different shades appear simultaneously on the plant.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 15 cm

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Gaultheria shallon

Larger than the previous species, this wintergreen forms a true small bush with dense foliage, producing clusters of small pinkish-white flowers. It also stands out for its dark blue to black fruits.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

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Pernettya mucronata

Also called Gaultheria mucronata, this wintergreen native to South America forms a small, dense, bushy shrub with white flowers and red, pink, or white berries. Its foliage takes on a bronze hue in autumn.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 80 cm

See the product sheet

Planting

Where to plant?

Native to the forests of North America, the Gaultheria is a shade or partial shade plant; however, it can tolerate direct sunlight as long as the soil remains moist. Like other heather soil bushes, it thrives in acidic soils and dislikes lime. It will, however, grow in neutral soil. It prefers fresh but well-drained, light and humus-bearing soils. It is important that water does not stagnate in winter and that the soil does not dry out too much in summer. When planting, feel free to add some well-rotted compost and heather soil, which you will mix with garden soil.

You can place the Gaultheria in a shaded rockery, in a heather soil bed or under wood. It is also ideal for creating a pot or planter composition.

As Gaultherias are dioecious, we recommend planting several young plants together: this will facilitate pollination, and you will more easily obtain numerous colourful berries. However, it is best not to plant too densely: as this is a spreading plant over time, allow enough space around it.

When to plant?

We recommend planting Gaultheria in autumn, around October, but planting is also possible in spring.

How to plant?

In the ground:

1. Dig a planting hole, about three times the size of the root ball.
2. We recommend adding some well-rotted compost and heather soil, to be mixed with the planting soil.
3. Remove the Gaultheria from its pot and place it in the centre of the planting hole.
4. Fill the hole by replacing the substrate all around, then lightly firm.
5. Water generously.
6. Optionally, add a layer of organic mulch.

In a pot:

1. Take a pot with drainage holes at the bottom to allow watering water to drain away.
2. Place a drainage layer made of clay pebbles or gravel.
3. Then add the substrate to the pot, ideally a mix of potting compost and heather soil.
4. Place the Gaultheria in the centre of the pot.
5. Fill in by adding substrate all around, then lightly firm.
6. Water.
7. Place the pot in a shaded spot.

Gaultheria procumbens

Maintenance

The Wintergreen is a plant that needs time, at least two to three years, to become well established. We recommend watering it occasionally during the first few years, especially during dry spells. As it dislikes lime, it’s best to use rainwater. We also advise applying a layer of organic mulch around its base (such as dead leaves or pine needles) to help the soil retain moisture for longer.

The Wintergreen doesn’t require pruning, unless you wish to control its spreading or if it outgrows its designated area. It does tend to spread over time by producing suckers, but it’s easy to keep in check.

Propagation

To propagate Gaultheria procumbens, the simplest method is to take suckers. However, sowing and propagation by cuttings are also possible.

Sowing

Sowing is done in autumn. Harvest fruits from a young plant of Gaultheria, then extract the seeds by separating them from the pulp.

1. We recommend mixing the seeds with fine sand to make handling easier.
2. Prepare a pot by filling it with special sowing compost, then lightly firm and level the surface.
3. Spread the sand-mixed seeds evenly over the surface.
4. Cover them with a thin layer of substrate.
5. Water gently with a fine spray.
6. Place the pot in a cold frame.

Propagation by cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is done in summer, in July-August.

1. Take a semi-lignified stem, 6 to 10 cm long, lignified at the base but tender at the tip. Ideally, take it with a heel (the base of the stem where it was attached).
2. Remove the leaves from the lower part, keeping only a few at the tip. Similarly, if there are flowers, remove them.
3. Prepare a pot with a light, well-draining substrate, then water.
4. Plant the stem in the substrate.
5. Firm the compost around it to ensure good contact between the soil and the stem.
6. Place the pot under shelter, in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight.

Dividing suckers

Gaultheria procumbens naturally produces suckers: it sends up shoots from its roots. To propagate it, simply take one of these shoots in autumn or spring, separating it from the parent plant with a spade. Replant immediately in the ground and water.

Association

As it thrives in acidic soils and shady positions, the wintergreen is the perfect companion for heather soil bushes. Pair it with rhododendrons and azaleas, Japanese maples, Pieris, Kalmias and Daphnes. Discover the Crinodendron hookerianum, a lesser-known bush bearing small red lantern-shaped flowers, as well as the Enkianthus campanulatus, whose bell-shaped flowers will echo the wintergreen’s flowering. Also consider camellias and hydrangeas. You can grow Gaultheria procumbens as ground cover at the base of these bushes. Its red berries will add a splash of colour in autumn and winter.

Acer palmatum ‘Summer Gold’, Gaultheria shallon, Kalmia latifolia ‘Peppermint’, Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla’, Daphne transatlantica ‘Pink Fragrance’ and Enkianthus campanulatus

Make the most of wintergreen berries to create a beautiful winter garden, alongside shrubs with decorative bark, such as the dogwood Cornus alba ‘Baton Rouge’, the Acer davidii ‘Viper’ and the Prunus serrula ‘Amber Scots’. Also enjoy the colourful berries of Skimmia reevesiana, Symphoricarpos and Callicarpa.

Wintergreen also makes stunning container displays, perfect for adding winter colour. With its evergreen green leaves and red berries, it creates ideal Christmas decorations! You could design a red, white and green composition by pairing it with the flowers of Helleborus niger. You could also plant it alongside heathers, variegated ivy, Carex, heucheras (such as ‘Berry Smoothie’) and small evergreen ferns like Polystichum acrostichoides.

Helleborus niger, Gaultheria procumbens, Heuchera ‘Berry Smoothie’, Carex oshimensis ‘Everest’ and Erica darleyensis ‘Winter Belles Katia’