Gaultheria procumbens Redwood™ (Creeping Wintergreen)

Gaultheria procumbens 'Redwood' is a variety of creeping wintergreen, a woody, broadleaf evergreen groundcover, noted for its increased attractiveness, and larger red berries than the parent species. Though not outwardly very fragrant, creeping wintergreen's leaves and berries both contain wintergreen oil and have a fresh, minty or teaberry-like taste; in fact, another common name for creeping wintergreen is eastern teaberry. Native to forest floor environments throughout the eastern half of the US, 'Redwood' wintergreen grows to only 4-6" tall and will often spread to form dense mats about 12-24" in diameter.

In the late spring to mid summer, Gaultheria procumbens produces whimsical, white to pink belll-shaped flowers that drape gracefully from small upright stems; after pollination, these flowers turn to bright red berries, which are much larger in the 'Redwood' variety, perfect for a unique forest snack or for attracting and feeding various woodland creatures. In the fall, evergreen foliage picks up darker, wine-red to purple coloration, adding seasonal appeal when contrasted with bright, persistent berries. Though hardy enough to grow in a variety of different shady locales, creeping wintergreen performs best in medium-moist, acidic sandy loams, such as those commonly found in majority evergreen forest types.