Carried by 11 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Gaultheria shallon is a leathery-leaved shrub in the heather family (Ericaceae), related to Manzanitas and Madrone. It is native to western North America as far north as Alaska. In California it is found primarily along the coast from Pt. Conception northwards. The foliage is dark green and attractive, sometimes used in commercial flower arrangements. The flowers are pink to white and urn-shaped, much like Manzanitas. The dark blue fruit is edible. Gaultheria shallon is very tolerant of both open sun and shady conditions. It occurs as a sprawling ground cover or a medium height shrub, depending on local growing conditions. It is a common coniferous forest understory species and may dominate large areas. In coastal areas it can form deep, nearly impenetrable thickets. It would be a nice addition to a woodland garden on the central or northern coast.
Shrub
1 - 7 ft Tall
7 - 12 ft Wide
Upright
Moderate, Fast
Evergreen
Slight
White, Pink
Spring
Hedge
Deep Shade, Partial Shade
High, Moderate
Max 2x / month once established
Tolerates cold to 10° F
Fast, Medium
Prefers sandy soil with organic material.
Soil PH: 4.0 - 6.5
For propagating by seed: No treatment. Best sown on milled sphagnum moss.
4*, 5*, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Moist open places
Closed-cone Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub, Forest
Use as understory for various trees including Maple (Acer spp.), Alder (Alnus rhombifolia or rubra), Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), Giant Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla), Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus), Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), and Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica).
Works well with other shrubs and herbs
Butterflies and moths supported
2 confirmed and 2 likely
The Brown Elfin
Callophrys augustinus
10-spotted Rhododendron Moth
Dysstroma sobria
Canary Ypsolopha Moth
Ypsolopha canariella