How to Grow Creeping Wintergreen
Creeping wintergreen, or Gaultheria procumbens, is often planted as a ground cover but is actually a broadleaf evergreen shrublet that only grows about 6 inches high. This slow-growing plant provides ornamental value year round with its glossy green leaves that turn red in the winter and release a wintergreen aroma when touched, as well as its tiny white and pinkish flowers that are followed by crimson berries. Creeping wintergreen grows best in U.S. Department of Agricultural hardiness zones 3 through 8. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose a location to grow creeping wintergreen with full to partial shade and fertile, well-drained acidic soil. Clear the area of all foliage and break up the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches.
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Enrich the soil before planting creeping wintergreen by adding a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic matter, such as peat moss, compost, leaf mold, pine needles and aged manure. Mix these amendments 6 inches into the planting area.
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Dig holes to plant creeping wintergreen the same depth as the pots holding the plants and twice as wide. Space the plants 12 inches apart for ground cover or two to three feet away from other plants when doing individual plantings.
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Soak the plant well after planting to settle the soil around the roots. Continue to water the creeping wintergreen as needed to maintain moist soil throughout the growing season. It is vital to water the plant slowly and deeply for the first year after planting to encourage an extensive root system.
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Add a 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the creeping wintergreen plants. The mulch keeps the soil moist and the roots cool, and prevent weeds from growing in the area. Every spring, replenish the mulch as needed.
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Apply an acid-type fertilizer as directed after flowers appear on the creeping wintergreen. Reapply the fertilizer annually to provide needed nutrients to the plant.
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Prune the creeping wintergreen in the summer once the blooms fade, if needed to maintain shape or size.
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Dig up and discard, or replant, baby creeping wintergreen plants that emerge outside the desired growing zone.
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References
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