Gaultheria trichophylla
| Gaultheria trichophylla | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Gaultheria trichophylla
Propagation: The seed requires a period of cold stratification. Pre-chill for 4 - 10 weeks and then surface sow in a lime-free compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep the compost moist[1]. The seed usually germinates well, usually within 1 - 2 months at 20°c, but the seedlings are liable to damp off. It is important to water them with care and to ensure that they get plenty of ventilation. Watering them with a garlic infusion can also help to prevent damping of[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are about 25mm tall and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter[K]. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. The seedlings are susceptible to spring frosts so might need some protection for their first few years outdoors. The leaves remain very small for the first few years[2].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood 3 - 6cm long, July/August in a frame in a shady position. They form roots in late summer or spring[1]. A good percentage usually take.
Division in spring when new growth is about 7cm tall. Divided plants can be rather slow to get established[3]. We have found that it is best to pot up the clumps and grow them on in a shady position in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation: Prefers a moist but not boggy humus rich soil in sun or semi-shade[2]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[2]. Prefers a fairly light open position so long as the soil is kept moist[2].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4].
This species does not always fruit well in Britain[2].
The plant can make a good nesting place for mice, these mice then eat the bark of the stems in winter causing die-back.
The bruised leaves release a hot, aromatic fragrance[5].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Range: E. Asia - W. Himalayas to China.
Habitat: A creeping shrub in alpine pastures[6], growing on rocks and banks up to elevations of 4500 metres[7]. Montane grasslands, mountain slopes and rocky places[8].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[7][9]. The blue ovoid fruit is about 10 x 6mm[4].
Usage: A useful ground cover for shady places.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Singh, Gurcharan and Premnath Kachroo. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1976.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.