Gaultheria shallon

RHS Plant Profile

shallon

RHS

Other common names

salal, shallon bush

Shrubs

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
7 Suppliers

An evergreen shrub that reaches around 1.2m tall and spreads by underground stems. It has heart-shaped or ovate leaves borne on bristly stems that are reddish when young becoming rough and brown with age. Small, pendant bell-shaped flowers in light pink and white appear in early summer. Hairy, dark-purple fruits ripen in late summer

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Suckering
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Although the fruit is edible, this plant is generally grown for ornamental purposes in nurseries and not for edible use. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Gaultheria are evergreen, often dioecious, shrubs with simple, leathery leaves and small, bell-shaped white or pink flowers, followed by long lasting fleshy fruits in various colours
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Western N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist or dry acidic soils in shade or partial shade where it will make good groundcover. Can colonise when planted in the landscape, for example on heathland as game cover

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division of plants. Pot up with soil attached for best results

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Rock garden
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds
Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility