Wintergreen herb/berry seeds (pre-stratified)
Wintergreen goes by many names. It is a popular herb with many uses and is also considered a decorative ornamental. Wintergreen is a relative of the cranberry, but with a much different flavor profile. Wintergreen produces juicy berries that taste like a mild peppermint. The leaves are more sought after than the fruit, however. The leaves are steamed and the vapor is collected to make wintergreen oil. Wintergreen has been used in candies, gums, toothpaste, mouthwashes, and even Pepto-Bismol.
Wintergreen is best grown in containers or smaller beds. Like peppermint, it can be invasive so you will want control it with a partition or container. It can be used as an ornamental and also acts as an effective ground cover. These need shade to partial sun. These grow low the ground and the leaves will turn a stunning red/bronze in the winter time. Like cranberries, these will need an acidic soil with a ph level of 5 or lower. This can be achieved by adding peat moss or sphagnum moss. The soil must be well draining as well, you can do this by adding vermiculite or sand. These are perennial and will return every year.
Seed count: 20
Botanical name:
Gaultheria procumbens
Spacing:
4" - 6" apart
Sowing depth:
1/4"
Color:
Dark green foilage with dark red berries
Sun requirements:
Part shade
Frost hardy:
Yes
Maturity:
6-8 months for berries to emerge. More berries will appear the second year, the winterberry shrub will continue to grow a couple inches a year.
Utilization:
The berries can be eaten fresh, dried, candied, or used for jams and jellies. The berries can be used in salads, stuffings, fruit salads, breads, tarts, and much more.
Life cycle:
Perennial
Can I start indoors:
Yes
Container friendly:
Yes
Other names:
Boxberry, deerberry, ground berry, spiceberry, wintergreen
Hardiness zones:
3,4,5,6,7
