Gaultheria shallon
shallon
An evergreen shrub that reaches around 1.2m tall and spreads by underground stems. It has heart-shaped or ovate leaves borne on bristly stems that are reddish when young becoming rough and brown with age. Small, pendant bell-shaped flowers in light pink and white appear in early summer. Edible, hairy, dark-purple fruits ripen in late summer
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Brown | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown | Pink White | Green | Purple |
| Autumn | Brown | Green | Red Purple | |
| Winter | Brown | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Suckering
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Gaultheria are evergreen, often dioecious, shrubs with simple, leathery leaves and small, bell-shaped white or pink flowers, followed by long lasting fleshy fruits in various colours
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Western N America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist or dry acidic soils in shade or partial shade where it will make good groundcover. Can colonise when planted in the landscape, for example on heathland as game cover
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division of plants. Pot up with soil attached for best results
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Rock garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.