Gaultheria White Pearl

The Gaultheria 'White Pearl' is a variety of Gaultheria with white winter fruiting. It forms a small prostrate bush with evergreen, dark green foliage. A plant that requires acidic soil is used in ericaceous beds or to create decorative pots in winter. Its attractive rounded foliage and bright white berries are eye-catching on the terrace or balcony.

The 'White Pearl' Gaultheria is a hybrid horticultural selection resulting from cross-breeding the procumbens x mucronata species. Native to North America, its parent, Gaultheria procumbens, is common in Canada's acidic undergrowth of large coniferous and deciduous forests. Perfectly hardy and resistant to drought, once established, this species cannot tolerate limestone. 'White Pearl', slow-growing and small, does not exceed 15 cm (6in) in height and has a spread of 30-40 cm (12-16in). A slightly running underground stem produces new small bushes over time, slowly covering the soil in the spaces between stones or other plants. The dense foliage is composed of very small, tough, glossy, dark green leaves that turn purple as temperatures drop in autumn. Flowering occurs in summer, from July to August. It takes the form of small, white, waxy, bell-shaped flowers that appear in the axils of the leaves. Pollinated by insects, they then produce round shiny white berries. This fruiting is popular with certain birds.

The 'White Pearl' Gaultheria thrives in shade or partial shade. It fits perfectly as ground cover at the base of ericaceous beds, under small bushes such as heathers, azaleas, camellias, or even under hydrangeas. It fills bare spaces with its evergreen foliage and provides decorative fruiting in winter. You can also plant it in a pot on the patio or balcony.

Be careful not to let children play with its attractive berries, as even though they have therapeutic benefits, improper dosing of medicinal plants can be toxic.