🇺🇸 Habitat and Ecology
​Gaultheria procumbens, commonly known as American Wintergreen, Checkerberry, or Eastern Teaberry, is a low-growing, rhizomatous sub-shrub native to Eastern North America. Its vast range extends from Newfoundland to Manitoba and south to Alabama. In its natural habitat, it forms dense carpets on the floors of acidic woodlands, pine barrens, and mixed hardwood forests. It is strictly an acid-loving (calcifuge) plant, thriving in cool, moist, organic-rich soils often associated with oaks and pines.
​🌿 Description and Distinguishing Features
​This plant is a hardy evergreen groundcover belonging to the heath family (Ericaceae).
​Foliage: The leaves are simple, alternate, and leathery, with a glossy, dark green surface. They are oval to elliptic, typically 2-5 cm long. A defining feature is their seasonal colour shift: in autumn and winter, the foliage turns a stunning reddish-bronze or purple, returning to green in spring. When crushed, the leaves release a distinct wintergreen fragrance (methyl salicylate).
​Flowers: In mid-to-late summer, it produces small, waxy, urn-shaped (bell-like) flowers that hang beneath the leaves. They are typically white or pale pink.
​Fruit: The flowers are followed by bright scarlet-red, round berries (technically fleshy calyces) that ripen in autumn and often persist on the plant throughout winter. The berries are edible and have a mild wintergreen flavour.
​Ethnobotany: Historically, Native Americans and early settlers used the leaves to brew tea (hence "Teaberry") to treat rheumatic pain, fevers, and sore throats, as the plant contains natural salicylates (similar to aspirin). The essential oil was traditionally distilled for flavouring candies and medicines.
​Differentiation:
​Versus Cotoneaster: Cotoneaster species (e.g., C. horizontalis) also have red berries and small leaves, but they lack the wintergreen scent, have different flower structures (open, not urn-shaped), and are generally not acid-dependent.
​Versus Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Lingonberry): Lingonberries look similar but lack the strong wintergreen scent and their berries are more acidic/tart compared to the mealy, minty texture of Gaultheria.
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Gaultheria procumbens is an excellent groundcover for shady, acidic borders but requires specific soil conditions to thrive.
​Light: Prefers dappled shade to partial shade. It can tolerate some sun in cooler climates if the soil is kept moist, but deep shade will reduce flowering and fruiting.
​Substrate: Strictly requires acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0). Use an ericaceous compost or peat-based mix. It will not survive in alkaline or chalky soils, where it will develop chlorosis (yellowing leaves).
​Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. It does not tolerate drought well; mulch with pine needles or bark to retain moisture and acidity.
​Temperature:
​Hardiness: Very cold hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -35^{\circ}\text{C}.
​It prefers cool summers and dislikes intense heat and humidity.
​Feeding: Light feeder. Apply an acid-forming fertilizer (like those for Rhododendrons) in early spring.
​✨ Unique Features
​This plant is a "triple-threat" ornamental: it offers glossy evergreen foliage that changes colour in winter, delicate bell flowers, and persistent red berries. Its most unique trait is the natural production of oil of wintergreen, giving the entire plant a refreshing, medicinal scent and taste that is iconic in American confectionery.
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: berry producing plants in 12 cm pots
Plant Family: Ericaceae
Plant Passport: A Gaultheria procumbens B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB