Gaultheria

A rare relative of our local Salal (Gaultheria shallon) collected by Jeanette Kunnen in the mountains above Oaxaca in Mexico. We were given cuttings by the late Ericaceous collector Art Dome who grew this to perfection at his Seward Park garden in Seattle. Scrumptious new growth and lots of pink bells followed by blue-black berries. Art grew his against a terraced wall on a slope where it got morning sun and it was a happy camper.

Fine South American evergreen shrub to 20" or more when grown richly or half that grown rock garden lean. Wiry red stems bristle with small stiff leaves that pair well to the plentiful small white bells and reddish fruit later. From Simon Bond in England who had some obscure treasures when we visited his Thuja Alpine Nursery.

This has had its fair share of names but we love this current iteration as it perfectly describes the condition resulting from eating the berries "Mental confusion, madness and permanent insanity". At least we would have an excuse. We've safely grown this for many years with no ill effects although our staff might disagree. White flowers, pinkish fruit. Enjoy the flowers, don't eat the fruit. Likes plenty of moisture in a draining peaty, organic soil and best in light to part shade. Not the hardiest plant as it is coastal to low elevations in Chile but good in zone 9 or as a container plant which is what we do.

Rare introduction of an incredibly attractive Gaultheria species. This low-growing species seldom exceeded 2'-3' in height. The reticulate evergreen leaves on reddish stems often were chalky white underneath and the white flowers mingled with young red fruit and black mature fruit. Hardiness unknown but we're guessing light frosts only as it was not far from cardamom plantings in the forest. A Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy offering.