GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS / WINTERGREEN

GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS / WINTERGREEN

A Low-Growing Native Groundcover with Year-Round Interest

Gaultheria procumbens, commonly known as Wintergreen, is a native evergreen perennial admired for its glossy green leaves, small white to pinkish flowers in summer, and bright red berries in fall and winter. Thriving in partial to full shade with acidic, well-drained soils, Wintergreen adds color, texture, and ecological value to woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized landscapes. Its low-growing habit makes it perfect for groundcover, rock gardens, or underplanting larger shrubs and trees.

Why Choose Wintergreen?

Evergreen & Year-Round Interest: Provides greenery and bright red berries through fall and winter.
Wildlife Friendly: Flowers attract pollinators; berries feed birds and small mammals.
Low Maintenance: Hardy, slow-growing, and easy to maintain.
Ornamental & Fragrant: Leaves release a distinctive wintergreen scent when crushed.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Glossy dark green leaves that persist year-round.
Flower Color: Small white to pinkish flowers in early summer.
Fruit Color: Bright red berries from fall into winter.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 4–8 inches tall and spreads 12–24 inches wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–7.
Sunlight: Prefers partial to full shade.
Soil Requirements: Acidic, well-drained soils; tolerates loam, sandy, and rocky conditions.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 4–8 inches tall, 12–24 inches wide.
Growth Habit: Low, spreading groundcover with evergreen foliage.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–7.
Flowering: Early summer with small white to pinkish blooms.
Fruit/Berry Production: Bright red berries appear in fall and persist into winter.

Ideal Uses:

Woodland & Shade Gardens: Perfect as underplanting for trees and shrubs in shaded areas.
Groundcover & Naturalized Landscapes: Forms dense mats for erosion control and soil stabilization.
Borders & Rock Gardens: Adds low-maintenance color and texture to shaded borders.
Wildlife Gardens: Supports pollinators and provides food for birds and small mammals.

Wintergreen is a charming and ecologically valuable native groundcover. Its evergreen foliage, bright red berries, and wildlife benefits make it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded landscapes, and naturalized plantings.