Gaultheria shallon seeds (Salal)

Description

PNW broadleaf evergreen. A tough mutli-purpose shrub bearing reliable harvests of delicious fruit that tastes like a cross between blueberry and blackberry.  Excellent eating straight from the bush or as jelly, jam, pie and wine.  It will impart an intense deep purple blue color to any dish or beverage. Dense clusters of flowers attract many nectar seekers. Blooms and fruits at a very young age.  Much loved by nectar seekers such as bumblebees.

A tough durable plant when established and is found growing along the maritime sandy seashores in full sun, in dappled forest shade and semi alpine to the tree line. Drought proof when established. Can be trimmed like a hedge. Can reach 2-3m in height. Its leathery evergreen leaves are much sought after in the floral trade.

Read more about the health benefits of its berries.https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2018+salal-berries-constabel+news?fbclid=IwAR1t6n5SAauETqP9RSaslUVhyZvvJTA9HpqSzgCmX8B01LFo64Vwh10GApg

• Seed Count: +200
• Collection Date: Aug 2024
• Hardiness Zone: 6-9
• Height and Width: 1-5m x 1-5m
• Germination test type: float
• Family: Ericaceae

How to germinate Gaultheria shallon seeds:

Use an equal mix of sand/peat for the sowing medium. Soak seed 24 hours then surface sow and tamp firmly. Mist well. Keep moist with repeated misting; use a clear plastic cover to maintain humidity. Needs consistent 8 hours/day of light to germinate. Needs warm temps to germinate properly: should germinate within 2-12 weeks at 20 C. Because seed is very small, some might find it more pragmatic to surface sow and give repeated mistings (mist well to saturate the surface) over the course of days, but you must provide a clear cover (plastic…glass) to maintain humidity. Plants prefer humus rich sandy soil (no clay!).