Gaultheria shallon (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to shade
Flowering period: Late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained, acidic
Eventual Height: 1.2m
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Family: Ericaceae
Gaultheria shallon is an evergreen shrub with a variable habit, it my be sprawling or erect. Its mid green leathery leaves ore ovate with serrate margin, up to 10cm long and 6cm broad. Its white/ pink hermaphrodite flowers are pendent, up to 1cm long and appear in racemes of up to 15. Its dark purple fruit are spherical, up to 1cm across and appear in late summer/ early autumn.
Gaultheria shallon, commonly known as Gaultheria, Salal or Shallon, is native to west North America. In its native habitat it grows as an understory plant in conifersous woodlands. Gaultheria shallon has become naturalised in the UK. This plant may sucker given the right conditions and may spread.
The etymological root of the binomial name Gaultheria is named after Jean Francois Gaulthier (1708 – 1756), a Canadian (Quebec) physician and naturalist. Shallon is derived from a North American Indian name Chinook.
The landscape architect may find Gaultheria shallon useful as an effective groundcover/ understory plant in acidic, peaty soils. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.
Gaultheria shallon Leaf (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Gaultheria shallon flowers are attractive to some polinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to birds and mammals.
Gaultheria shallon prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid pH of soil.
Gaultheria shallon requires little maintenance.
