Cherry Berry Wintergreen is a low-growing evergreen groundcover that transforms your shade garden into a year-round jewel. Hardy from zones 3 through 8, this cultivar of Gaultheria procumbens produces exceptionally large red berries that cling to the plant from fall straight through spring, offering months of visual interest when most gardens sleep. The glossy green foliage shifts to a deep merlot hue as winter temperatures drop, creating a stunning color show that few groundcovers can match. Growing just 8 to 10 inches tall but spreading up to 3 feet, it thrives in partial shade and humidity, making it an elegant choice for woodland gardens or cascading over stone edges.
Partial Shade
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3-8
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High
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The real draw here is the sheer persistence of those berries. While many plants fade by mid-winter, Cherry Berry holds its vibrant red fruits through the entire cold season, creating pockets of color when you need them most. The winter foliage transformation from green to burgundy deepens the visual drama, and the plant's glossy evergreen leaves ensure year-round structure. It spreads steadily without becoming invasive, and humidity doesn't stress it out like it does so many shade plants.
This is primarily grown as an ornamental groundcover, especially valued in shade gardens where it serves as both living mulch and seasonal focal point. The evergreen foliage provides winter structure in mixed woodland plantings, while the persistent berries add color to the dormant season landscape. Its low, spreading habit makes it particularly effective cascading over stone walls, edging pathways through shaded areas, or knitting together the base of shade trees.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant into prepared woodland-style soil (acidic, humus-rich, well-drained) in partial shade locations. Space plants 3 feet apart to accommodate their mature spreading habit.
Minimal pruning is needed for this naturally low, spreading plant. Remove any dead or damaged branches in spring, and you can lightly cut back stems if the plant becomes gangly or overgrows its space, though its moderate, controlled growth habit rarely requires intervention.
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