Species salal

salal

Gaultheria shallon

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is an evergreen shrub native to western North America. It is a fragrant, dense, hardy plant with leathery, glossy leaves that turn purplish-red in cold weather. The small white, bell-shaped flowers are followed by juicy, edible blue-black berries that are relished by birds. Salal can be grown in full to part sun, with regular waterings, and can reach heights of up to 10 feet. This species makes an excellent ornamental plant for gardens and is excellent as a low-maintenance hedgerow or ground cover. Its hardiness and drought tolerance make it ideal for the Pacific Northwest.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Greenwood Cuttings,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6

Flowers:

Showy, White, Pink Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Filtered shade, Full sun

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Fruits:

Fruits In Summer Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Salal plants need to be watered about 1-2 inches per week, depending on temperature. During the summer months, you should water your salal plants more often, as this is when they are actively growing. During cooler temperatures, they will need less water. You should avoid over-watering your salal, as too much water can cause root rot. Make sure to water your plants at dusk or during the morning hours to help reduce evaporation. You can also check the soil moisture levels to ensure that your salal plants aren't drying out.

sunlight

The salal (Gaultheria shallon) plant grows best in partial shade to full sun depending on the soil and climate conditions. This plant prefers more direct sun in cooler climates with cooler summers and less direct sunlight in warmer climates with hotter summers. In general, salal plants appreciate between 3 to 6 hours of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning or evening, when the sun isn’t at its fullest intensity. On hot summer days, it may be beneficial to provide some shade or cover for the plant to protect it from the scorching heat of the sun.

pruning

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) should be pruned once or twice a year, after it has bloomed in the late spring or early summer. Pruning should be done no more than once every 2 years, and all pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, before any growth begins. Removing 1-third to 1-half of the older growth is recommended. This will promote a dense, bushy shape and encourage flowering. When pruning, cut stems between buds, making sure to remove any dead or damaged branches.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Salal typically begins flowering in April and May.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Gaultheria shallon typically begins in June and continues through August.

Hardiness Map