Gaultheria Species, American Wintergreen, Boxberry, Checkerberry, Eastern Teaberry,
Gaultheriaprocumbens

Family: Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Gaultheria (gol-THAIR-ee-uh)
Species: procumbens (pro-KUM-benz)

Synonym:Brossaea procumbens

Category
Groundcovers

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Shiny/Glossy

Foliage Color
Orange/Apricot
Red

Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)

Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
White/Near White

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer

Other details

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored