Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Ericaceae

Genus:

Gaultheria

Species:

Gaultheria ovatifolia

USDA Symbol:

GAOV2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Subshrub

Height:

20 cm

Light Requirements:

Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul

Bloom Colors:

white, pink

Ground Cover:

Yes

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from rhizomes following fire; adapted to periodic low-intensity fire in coniferous forest understory.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, well-drained, acidic soil

pH:

5.0 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)

Drainage:

good drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

prefers forested, shaded environments

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

30–120 days

Notes:

Seeds are tiny and require light for germination. Surface sow on moist peat-based medium.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI