Gaultheria procumbens
Eastern Teaberry
Please register or login to build your personal plant list.Eastern Teaberry is a woody, evergreen groundcover. Its small, white, bell-shaped flowers bloom June-July, followed by small, red, edible berries...
Description:
Eastern Teaberry is a woody, evergreen groundcover. Its small, white, bell-shaped flowers bloom June-July, followed by small, red, edible berries that have a refreshing wintergreen flavor. Birds feed on the berries, which persist through the winter. The waxy, dark green leaves also smell like wintergreen when crushed. The leaves, which turn reddish in cold weather, are also a winter food source for wildlife. Both the leaves and berries can be used to make an herbal tea. Use Eastern Teaberry as groundcover or in woodland gardens, shade gardens, or naturalized areas.
Plant Details:
Other Common Names: Wintergreen, Checkerberry
Plant Type: Groundcover
New Jersey Native: Yes
Bloom Times: Late Spring to Early Summer, Summer
Bloom Colors: White
Deer Resistance: Some
Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Birds
Salt Tolerance: Low to None
Hardiness Zone: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Physiographic Region: All Regions in NJ
Grows in Special Ecoregions: Barrier Island/Coastal, Pinelands
Soil Characteristics
Soil Type: Loam, Organic, Sandy
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic, Slightly Acidic
Light Needs of Plant
Optimal Light: Partial Shade
Light Range: Partial Shade, Shade
Water Needs of Plant
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Size and Growth Rate
Height: 0.25 - 0.5 ft
Spread: 0.5 - 1 ft
Growth Rate: Slow