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GAULTHERIA
Commonly known as Box berry, Mountain tea, Salal, Shallon
(Formerly PERNETTYA)
Genus of about 170 species of evergreen shrubs, some rhizomatous, widely distributed in woodland and open, moist, rocky places in the Himalayas, eastern Asia, Australasia and North, Central and South America.
Wintergreen oil, from G. procumbens is the common flavouring for toothpaste and mouthwash (Listerine) and was well-known as a muscle rub.
Further Reading....
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EvergreenRed shoots and broadly oval, sharp-pointed, bristly toothed, glossy, dark-green leaves to 10cm (4in) long.
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WhiteTinged pink.
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Height1.2cm (4ft)
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Spread1.5m (5ft)
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FruitPlants which produce an edible or ornamental fruitEdible fruits known as Salal in the Pacific Northwest, not as tasty as blueberries, but edible nonetheless
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Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in heightCompact, bushy shrub spreading vigorously by suckers. Flowers in arching racemes to 10cm (4in) long of broadly urn-shaped flowers.
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Partial shade
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowGood for game cover and shelter for wildlife.Pests & DiseasesNonePlace of originWestern North America.Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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Garden Location/ConditionsBog gardenWoodland garden
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Soil ConditionsNeutral to acid soilPeaty and moistWet or boggy soil
Gaultheria - Growing Guide
1.2cm (4ft)
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1.5m (5ft) |
Buy Varieties of GAULTHERIA


GAULTHERIA mucronata 'Bells Seedling'
Box berry, Mountain tea, Prickly heath
bright red berries


GAULTHERIA mucronata 'Crimsonia'
Box berry, Mountain tea, Prickly heath
white flowers, crimson berries

GAULTHERIA mucronata mascula
Box berry, Mountain tea, Prickly heath
male form

GAULTHERIA mucronata 'Mother of Pearl'
Box berry, Mountain tea, Prickly heath
pale pink berries


GAULTHERIA mucronata 'Mulberry Wine'
Box berry, Mountain tea, Prickly heath
white flowers and magenta-purple berries which deepen in colour with age

GAULTHERIA mucronata 'Signal'
Box berry, Mountain tea, Prickly heath
bright scarlet berries

GAULTHERIA mucronata 'Snow White'
Box berry, Mountain tea, Prickly heath
pure white berries - sometimes speckled pink
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
3 options from £3.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50