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Gaultheria procumbens

13 years ago

Hoping someone can tell me what happened to my teaberry. It's been in this spot for over a year along with two other teaberry that show no symptoms. Leaves dried out about two weeks ago after plant appeared healthy and put out new growth.

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years ago
That looks to be a very open, even sunny, location. Also maybe somewhat dry? If so, that is pretty opposite of what wintergreen would like - mostly shade and with a moist, acidic and relatively organic soil. Dislikes heat and dry.
ogarib
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the response gardengal. The reason why I'm concerned is because I have two other teaberry plants adjacent to it that show no symptoms. Plant is about four feet away from a wood fence on the east side of my property.
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Gaultheria procumbens
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Comments (1)
I've never tried it, but I completely agree that it'd probably grow well - especially in a partially shaded bog situation. In mountain bogs, I've seen really dense patches of it, especially towards the edges where it isn't quite as wet or sunny. Actually, I've been meaning to try this myself for some time... It you give it a shot then let us know how it goes!
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Any info on gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) appreciated!
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Comments (2)
The plant is native,locally, and makes a loose groundcover that would not, likely, exclude others. One plant I found, at the local supermarket as Christmas decoration had berries 4 times as big as the local ones. It was from some nursery in Canada. Has almost died out and never fruited since, although I put it in what I thought was an ideal spot. A beautiful and interesting plant.Other plants for similar conditions, rather hard to locate, would be Chimophila maculata, Michellia repens, and Galax aphylla. All extraordinarily beautiful. Also consider Asarum europaeum and some of the variagated native gingers. A. europaeum makes a tight groundcover.
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Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen)
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Comments (2)
I grew it for many years, under a White Pine, in acidic soil (red clay). The pine died after 40 years and the Gaultheria became exposed to afternoon sun. It slowly began to disappear and is now all gone, I think. I believe that soil temperature has more effect on the plant than air temperature and humidity (dew point). We often have soil tmperatures in the upper 70's and low 80's after a string of 100Â°+ days. Lots of plants wither and go dormant, when that happens. In hindsight, I should have moved it, after having the tree removed, but I had Hepatica acutiloba and Asarum arifolium in that location and they are still doing fine. In that location, I also lost Chimaphila maculata (Pipsissewa) and Chrysogonum virginianum (Green & Gold). Strangely, the Green & Gold had seeded into the neighbors lawn and is perfectly happy and vigorous (to his chagrin) in full afternoon sun! :>)) Rb
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Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
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Comments (1)
It is certainly possible although unless the conditions are close to ideal, I'm not sure how successful you will be or for how long. Plants that are native to temperate areas generally do not succeed well when grown indoors. Most indoor conditions provide inadequate lighting, low humidity, too constant a temperature range and therefore a lack of necessary dormancy or vernalization. That's why most houseplants are those that originate from tropical or semitropical locations - they tend to appreciate these restrictions more but even many of these would prefer greenhouse conditions.
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Iris GW
13 years ago
Any possible herbicide drift from nearby neighbors?
Lynda Waldrep
13 years ago
Yup. Looks like environmental damage to me. Never spray when there is the least bit of air movement!

And it could have come from the local highway group or electric company, as they spray often, and without regard to drift. I have damaged plants in the mountain, and although I have a "no spray" sign at MY property, the adjoining lands do not. Consequently, when they spray, some chemcial drifts down to mine. Sad.
wisconsitom
13 years ago
Could also be that your friendly neighborhood dog relieved himself on that one plant. This could lead to such damage, and is worth considering, given that nearby plants of same type were unaffected.

+oM
ogarib
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the replies. Is it possible that it'll bounce back. Thinking about it now, I do have an issue with dogs urinating on this side of the property.

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cold stratification?

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