Description
Gaultheria procumbens, commonly called wintergreen, is a rhizomatous, creeping, woody, evergreen groundcover
Gaultheria procumbens, also called the eastern teaberry, the checkerberry, the boxberry, or the American wintergreen, is a species of Gaultheria native to northeastern North America from Newfoundland.
Plant Specifications
| Common Name | wintergreen |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 0.25 to 0.50 feet |
| Flower Colour | White |
| Bloom Time | June to July |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Wintergreen should be planted outdoors in early spring in Zones 3-8. Give it a shady but bright spot with well-drained soil rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Prune it back to old wood in spring to encourage new green growth. Over time, a single plant can spread to 3-3 1/2ft in width. The dark green leaves turn red or reddish purple in winter.
Gaultheria procumbens care
Best grown in organically rich, evenly moist, acidic, welldrained soils in part shade to full shade. Established plants tolerate some dry soils. Plants perform best in climates with cool summe Space plants 10-14 apart for growth as a ground cover.
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | about -35c |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Gaultheria procumbens special feature
Excellent ground cover for shady areas. Woodland gardens, rock gardens, foundations or native plant areas. Plants are an interesting complement to other acid-loving shrubs such as azaleas, rhododendrons, kalmias and blueberries.
Gaultheria procumbens uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- Because of toxicity concerns, follow the suggested manufacturer s oral or topical dosage form regimen: 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of wintergreen oil is equivalent to approximately 7000 mg of salicylate or 21
- 5 adult aspirin tablets