Evergreen groundcovers keep life in the landscape even in winter. Gaultheria, or wintergreen, is a sweet little plant with mint-scented leaves and edible berries. It is native to North America.
Any area of the garden that is shady to partially sunny makes ideal wintergreen growing conditions. These low-growing plants form creeping mats of glossy green foliage that turns red to bronze in winter. The decorative red berries are an added bonus that was used in candies, gum, perfume, cosmetics, teas, and other uses prior to synthetic flavorings.
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is a forest plant in its native habitat. It primarily colonizes areas around natives like mountain laurel and rhododendrons in moist, acidic soils. Much of its wild range is west of the Mississippi River, but it is also found south to Georgia. As understory plants, a low light area is best suited for growing wintergreen plants. 1 second of 30 secondsVolume 0% This ad will end in 28