Salal
Gaultheria shallon
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © olivialorraine00 (iNaturalist #19968753)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Gaultheria
- Species:
- Gaultheria shallon
- USDA Symbol:
- GASH
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire. Often increases in density post-burn in Pacific Northwest forests.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in forest understory with organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Germination can be slow and erratic; sow on surface of acidic medium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For seeds: Sow into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs (Q-plugs), seal trays in plastic bags and refrigerate at 1 to 3 °C for 25 days. For cuttings: Cut the base of the stem at a 45° angle and dip in IBA (1000 ppm for dormant cuttings, 500 ppm for green cuttings), then insert into a pre-dibbled hole in well-drained rooting medium (30:20:30:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice).
Establishment: Collection times vary: late summer or fall for seeds, mid winter or late spring/early summer for cuttings. Native to coastal areas from Santa Barbara County, CA to British Columbia, typically in coastal woods or brushy places below 760 m (2500 ft).
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).