Salal

(Gaultheria shallon)

Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Gaultheria shallon, commonly known as Salal, is an evergreen shrub or subshrub native to the understory of coniferous and mixed forests in the Pacific Northwest, including the Northwestern United States and Canada. It typically grows 1.3 to 10 ft (0.40 to 3.05 m) tall and can be sprawling to erect in form. Salal is loosely to densely branched and often forms dense, nearly impenetrable thickets. Its evergreen leaves are dense, leathery, and tough, with an ovate to egg-shaped form. The plant produces showy flowers that are deeply five-parted and urn-shaped, ranging in color from pink to white, blooming from late spring to early summer. The fruit is a dark blue to purple edible berry that is attractive to wildlife and can be used in jams and jellies.

Salal is valued for its ornamental foliage, low maintenance, and ability to form dense ground cover, making it suitable for use in forest restoration, as an understory plant in woodland gardens, and for erosion control. It thrives in a variety of soils, though it prefers moist, well-drained sandy or peaty substrates. While it can grow in full sun, Salal performs best in part shade to full shade conditions, mimicking its natural understory habitat. It is drought-tolerant once established and has few serious pest or disease problems. However, it can become leggy in too much shade or if not pruned regularly.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub, Subshrub
  • Height: 1-6 feet
  • Width: 1-6 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Pink, White
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Understory of coniferous and mixed forests in the Pacific Northwest

Other Names

Common Names: Shallal, Shallon, Gaultheria, Palommier, Vaktelbär

Scientific Names: , Gaultheria shallon, Brossaea shallon, Shallonium serrulatum,

GBIF Accepted Name: Gaultheria shallon Pursh