Gaultherias are evergreen shrubs of about 135 species in the heather family. They are native to North and South America, Asia and Australia. They can vary from low-growing ground-hugging shrubs of 8 inches to trees up to 20 feet tall. They can be found in warm climates of South America, the Himalayas and from California to northern Canada. Some varieties are grown as ornamentals and others as ground covers. Most of them prefer moist peaty soil and some do well in boggy conditions. Most varieties prefer part shade-to-shade conditions but some tolerate part sun conditions. The summer flowers are bell-shaped and can be showy. Some types bear showy berry-like fruits in white, pink or red colors. Depending on the species, they can be used in naturalized areas, shade gardens or winter gardens. Berries are edible by birds. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fungal spots, leaf gall, black mildew, and powdery mildew can be problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Horizontal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Vary in length from 1-4 inches long. Margins are finely serrated or bristly in most species but some are entire. They are green and leathery and vary in shape
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower form
Raceme; Solitary
Flower shape
Bell; Urn
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Solitary flowers in axils or clusters of bell- or urn-shaped flowers with 5 petals. The color is white to pink to red
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
The fruit can be a round false berry or a dry capsule depending on the variety. The showy berry types can be white, pink or red.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Stems can be gree to reddish
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
North and south America, Australia and Asia
Wildlife value
Birds will eat the fruits
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Edibility
Some of the fruits are edible and can be used to make jellies. The American wintergreen is used for wintergreen flavoring and the leaves are used for teas.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Has been used in Chinese medicine to treat arthritis