Gaultheria shallon

Native to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Salal is distinctive and ubiquitous member of the temperate rainforests in the lowlands of the Cascade and Olympic mountains. Appreciated by indigenous peoples for thousands of years, Salal produces an edible fruit that is closely related to Wintergreen, but doesn’t possess that unique flavor. Instead of the signature pine like flavor of its cousin, Salal is sweet and lightly tart with a flavor pretty close to blueberries.

Salal is an amenable plant in the garden, tolerating a variety of conditions from heavy shade to partial sun and soggy to somewhat dry conditions. It’s a highly ornamental plant, with delicate urn-shaped flowers that hang in long strings, emerging from lofty evergreen foliage. This is a must have plant for anyone who can grow it; if you have mild summers, consider Salal for that shady hole in the garden!

Cold hardy to USDA zone 6a, or to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.