Gaultheria macrostigma

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

Gaultheria macrostigma is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Montane to lower sub-alpine open grassland and rocky places in North South and Stewart Islands from 39° and southwards.

New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. Fairly large. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A good ground cover for sun or light shade.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Requires a light well-drained lime-free soil. The plant can make a good nesting place for mice, these mice then eat the bark of the stems in winter causing die-back. Dioecious. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required. This species, however, does not need a male pollinator in order to fruit well. It also hybridizes freely in the wild with other members of this genus. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: The seed requires a period of cold stratification. Pre-chill for 4 - 10 weeks and surface sow in a lime-free compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep moist. The seed usually germinates well, usually within 1 - 2 months at 20°c, but the seedlings are liable to damp off. Watering them with care and making sure you give them plenty of ventilation will reduce this risk. Watering them with a garlic infusion can also help to prevent this. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are about 25mm tall and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. The seedlings are susceptible to spring frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 3 - 6cm long, July/August in a frame in a shady position. They form roots in late summer or spring. A good percentage usually take. Division in spring just before new growth begins. 'Drop' the plants 12 months earlier by digging them up and replanting them deeper in the soil so that the branches are buried and can form roots. This works best in a sandy soil. It is best to pot up the divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse until they are established. Plant them out in the summer. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

G. antipoda microphylla. G. depressa microphylla. G. perplexa. Pernettya macrostigma. Colenso.