Plant Description
Gaultheria shallon
Salal is a great understory shrub for conifer forests. It has dark green, waxy leaves, and small pink or white flowers. Salal may not flower for the first year or two until it is well established. It also produces small, dark berries, which are edible by humans and wildlife. Berries are not always flavorful for human consumption, but do have high levels of natural pectin, so work well in jams and jellies.
The green leaves of a Salal shrub.
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
| Characteristic | Plant Information |
|---|---|
| Height at 20 yrs | 1 ft |
| Mature Height | 6 ft |
| Growth Rate | Rapid |
| Life Span | Perennial |
| Moisture Use | High |
| Drought Tolerance | Low |
| Deer Browse | Rarely |
| Wildlife Value | Good for pollinators and birds |
| Timber Value | None |
| Resprout Ability | Yes |
| Hardiness | USDA Zones 4-7 |
| Flower Color | White or Pale Pink |
| Bloom Time | May-July |
| Habitat | Conifer forests, other woodlands |
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
| Classification | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Clade | Tracheophytes |
| Clade | Angiosperms |
| Order | Ericales |
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Genus | Gaultheria |
| Species | G. shallon |
