Scientific Name: Gaultheria mucronata
Common Name: pernettya; prickly heath
Family Name: Ericaceae
Origin: South America
Hardiness Zone: Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Mature Size: 0.7 - 1.3m x 1.0 - 1.5m (height x width)
Habit: Arching, Upright
Form: Round
Texture: Medium - fine
Landscape Uses: Group or mass planting, Rock garden, Small garden/space, Spring interest
Exposure: Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade
Soil or Media: Acidic, Well-drained
Leaves: Simple, Alternate, Leathery, Pinnate venation, Glabrous, Lustrous, Elliptic, Oblong, Ovate, Crenate
Flowers: Flowers solitary, White, May-Jun
Fruit: Capsule, Edible, (Accessory tissue), White, Purple, Pink, Black, Jun-Jul-Aug-Sep-Oct
Key ID Features:
Dense, small, evergreen shrub with small, alternate leaves that are dark green, ovate, and glossy, with a mucronate tip but no marginal spines; when looking head on, leaves appear very geometrically arranged; new stems are reddish; fruit a berry-like capsule (accessory tissue).