Gaultheria mucronata
syn. Pernettya mucronata
“Prickly heath”
ERICACEAE

Evergreen Shrub

Zone: 7-9h
Native habitat: Chile

Conditions
Soil: rich, neutral to acidic
Moisture: moist, well drained
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): 4′ x ‘4
Other: ;

Aesthetic
Shape/Stem:  new growth red stemmed, bushy
Leaf: simple, spine-tipped, glossy, leathery, green, sharp tipped
Flower: tiny, solitary, nodding, urn-shaped (bell), white to pink
Bloom: late spring
Other: showy, long lasting bead like berries, purple, red, pink, white (on females); dioecious, need male to pollinate; fibrous roots

Treatment (how to…)
Plant:  general
Maintain: prone to suckering, remove them; mulch
Propagate: cuttings; suckers can be rooted

Uses
Landscape:  grown for winter berries, winter garden, banks/slopes, boarders, under planting, country, cottage, informal, rock
Companion planting: males and females in same garden (if desire berries); Rhododendrons, Azeleas
Medicinal: not known; poisonous leaves and roots, though berries may be edible
Other:

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: no known
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals: rabbit resistant

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase):  1 gallon to 2 gallon (mostly only females sold)
Nature:
Identification (key features):

Interesting facts:
Cultivars: many cultivars, G. m. ‘Bell’s Seedling’ deep red fruit, G. m. ‘Mulberry Wine’  purple fruit
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