Winter Splash Wintergreen is a rare variegated cultivar of Gaultheria procumbens that transforms a shady corner into a winter showstopper. Unlike standard wintergreens, this first-ever variegated form displays glossy white-and-green mottled foliage that flushes pink when frost arrives, paired with bright red berries that linger deep into the coldest months. Hardy from zones 3 to 8 and growing just 3 to 10 inches tall, it thrives in full shade and acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5), making it an unexpected ornamental for spaces where other plants struggle.
Full Shade
Moderate
3-8
10in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The foliage is the real draw here, variegated with white and green in a pattern you won't find in typical wintergreens, then suffused with glowing pink tones as temperatures drop. Bright red berries arrive in fall and cling to the plant through winter, creating a long season of color in the shade garden. Self-fertile and evergreen, it needs minimal fussing once established, and its low, spreading habit fills gaps and softens edges without demanding pruning or staking.
Winter Splash shines as a winter ornamental rather than a culinary plant. Use it to brighten shaded alcoves with its variegated foliage and persistent berries, or tuck it into containers flanking a porch or entryway to extend seasonal interest into the bleakest months. It works especially well as a groundcover in small spaces and woodland gardens where its low stature won't overwhelm surrounding plantings.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors in a moist, acidic seed-starting mix and maintain soil temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the mix consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provide bright indirect light. Germination is slow; be patient and maintain these conditions for 4 to 8 weeks.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before moving them outdoors. Transplant into prepared beds or containers filled with acidic, well-draining soil after the last frost date for your zone. Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart to allow room for their spreading growth habit.
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“This is the first variegated wintergreen cultivar ever introduced to gardeners, representing a significant breakthrough in ornamental breeding for shade gardens. Raintree Nursery brought Winter Splash to market as a way to bring color and cheer to spaces where conventional plants often fail, turning the humble wintergreen into a year-round accent plant worthy of featuring in landscape design.”