Gaultheria

The genus Gaultheria (also known as pernettya) is best known for the creeping wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), a small evergreen bush that provides wintergreen essential oil with properties similar to aspirin. Gaultheria belongs to the ericaceae family, just like heathers. These are pretty, very hardy evergreen shrubs that beautifully accompany other acid-loving plants. Several species are used in gardens for their beautiful winter fruits, especially Gaultheria mucronata which comes from Patagonia and Gaultheria shallon native to North America. The glossy foliage of Gaultheria is decorative all year round and their pinkish-white flowering feeds bees. More or less prostrate, never very tall (less than 1.50 m in all directions), these bushes form beautiful borders at the base of large ericaceous shrubs, in shade or partial shade, in moist, acidic soil. Gaultheria plants are dioecious, there are male and female plants. To enjoy beautiful berries on female plants, it is essential to plant several plants. Below you will find a nice selection of Gaultheria.