Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), offered by Akène
🌿 A native ground cover with a captivating fragrance 🌿
Wintergreen is a native perennial that thrives in coniferous forests and acidic undergrowth . It forms a dense mat of glossy, dark green evergreen leaves , reaching 10 cm in height . In summer, delicate white bell-shaped flowers appear beneath its foliage, transforming in autumn into edible, minty-tasting red berries . These fruits persist throughout the winter , providing a valuable food source for birds and small mammals .
🌱 Ideal as a ground cover under acid-loving plants , it stabilizes soils , limits erosion and fits perfectly into naturalist gardens .
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : June to August
📏 Height : 10 cm
🌱 Spacing : 45 cm
☀️ Exposure : Partial shade, shade
🌿 Life cycle : Perennial
🌾 Soil type : Sandy to peaty, acidic
💧 Soil moisture content : Dry to slightly moist
🦌 Deer Resistance : High
📦 Seeds per packet : 150
Sowing and cultivation
📏 Sowing depth : Surface (do not cover the seeds)
🌡 Germination time : 10 to 20 days
❄️ Cold stratification : 90 days
⚡ Scarification : Not required
🔹 Indoor method (recommended) :
1️⃣ Sprinkle the seeds on the surface of seed compost enriched with well-moistened sphagnum moss .
2️⃣ Spray lightly to ensure good contact between the seeds and the substrate.
3️⃣ Place the container in an airtight plastic bag and leave it in the refrigerator for 90 days .
4️⃣ After stratification, expose it to artificial light 14-16 hours a day under grow lights.
5️⃣ As soon as germination occurs, open the dome slightly to let air through, ensuring that the substrate remains moist.
6️⃣ Replant the seedlings individually when they reach 2.5 cm in height .
🔹 Outdoor method :
🌿 Sow directly in the fall to let winter naturally stratify the seeds.
💧 Add sphagnum peat moss to enrich sandy or clay soils.
🌱 A plant that prefers humidity, but tolerates well-drained soils if protected from direct sun.
Medicinal and culinary uses
🍵 A natural aroma with therapeutic properties
The leaves and berries of wintergreen contain methyl salicylate , a natural compound with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.
💊 In infusion : Traditionally used to relieve muscular pain, rheumatism and headaches .
🍽️ In the kitchen : Edible leaves and berries, eaten fresh, in infusion, or to flavor desserts and drinks .
⚠️ Moderate consumption : Contains compounds similar to aspirin, to be avoided in case of allergy to salicylates.
Ecological roles and utilities
🐦 A winter food source : Its berries feed birds and small mammals during the winter.
🌱 A soil stabilizer : Limits soil erosion in forests and in acidic environments.
🌿 An excellent ground cover : Ideal for forest, shade and naturalistic gardens.
Companion plants
🌿 Cornflower, rhododendron, native ferns
Enemy plants
🌿 None known
Why grow wintergreen?
🍃 A persistent and aesthetic ground cover
🌱 An ally of forests and acidic environments
🍵 A unique medicinal and aromatic plant
🐦 A refuge and food source for wildlife
🌿 Invite wintergreen into your garden and enjoy its captivating scent and natural benefits!
