Do you have an unheated garage? I'd hesitate to keep them inside since the dryness makes it hard for these plants to survive, and most northern perennials rely on a cold period, so at the very least, I'd put them where they will be cold, but still get some light. Also, I don't know about you, but right now it's astonishingly warm here for this time of year - didn't get below freezing last night, which is unheard of in central NH in January and has been in the 40's during the day for a week. So, if you have thawed ground, I'd loosen up the compacted roots some, plant them where they will get some shade, and water and mulch well so that they don't heave with freeze-thaw cycle. Just my opinion based on trying to keep tender perennials alive inside.

I'm not sure I understand the intent. Gaultheria procumbens typically forms a very low growing but dense mat. Couldn't the leaves just be blown off or raked off gently? Leaves that carpet the surface of a low growing groundcover or remain stuck in the structure of other evergreen shrubs are the only ones that should be removed - leaves that have fallen on open soil should be left in place to decompose naturally and return nutrients to the soil. A lot of folks go out of their way to gather leaves and apply them for just this purpose. There is a limit to how tidy we should be in the garden before we start sacrificing the benefits of the natural process for the sake of appearance. Besides, there is not enough height to the plant to be able to prune easily or simply before defoliation and possible permanent. I wouldn't recommend it.

Good to know. I am cleaning seeds now, and my first experience with cranberry made my eyes cross...too small! The seeds that are almost dust, like orchids, are really easier, to me, than finding tiny seeds. Good luck with growing them. I potted some up last winter, but nothing is showing yet. I usually wait at least three years before I give up. Had some native clematis that took three to germinate, so I try to be patient. (And I live off the road, so neighbors cannot see my pot ghetto!)

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 100°+ 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