Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

Low evergreen North American groundcover for cool, moist, acidic shade, with red wintergreen-flavoured berries.

Hardiness ratings

Wintergreen hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–7 −40 °C to −12.2 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H6 −20 °C to −15 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–7 −34 °C to −7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–4 −15 °C to 5 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Bright red berries have a mild wintergreen flavour and are edible; a hardy groundcover for shade
  • The source of wintergreen oil (methyl salicylate); the concentrated essential oil is toxic if swallowed and must not be ingested
  • Consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinally

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Wintergreen against your zones

Reference

Wintergreen on Wikipedia