Wintergreen: Potted Plant Herb
How to Sow and Plant
Wintergreen may be grown as a potted plant.
Planting in the Garden:
- Select a location in full to partial shade with moist soil.
- Wintegreen needs a soil pH of 4.0 to 5.5. Test the soil and adjust the soil pH as needed.
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.
- Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.
- Carefully remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root development.
- Set the plants 12- 15 inches apart.
- Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand.
- Use the plant tag as a location marker.
- Thoroughly water and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds.
How to Grow
- Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or using a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
- Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For herbs, an organic mulch of aged bark or shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down over time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot. Wintergreen prefers a cool soil, so mulch is very important.
- Keep plants well-watered during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It’s best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.
- The lifespan of plants averages about 5-8 years. If you notice the plants are beginning to deteriorate, prune the existing plants back hard to rejuvenate them.
- Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest control recommended for your area.
Harvest and Preserving Tips
- Leaves can be collected once the plant begins to flower in early to mid-summer they make an excellent tea.
- Berries can be collected in late fall through the winter.
Common Disease Problems
Rust: A number of fungus diseases that cause rust colored spots on foliage and stalks. Burpee Recommends: Plant resistant varieties. Practice crop rotation. Remove infected plants. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for recommendations.
Botrytis: This fungus causes a grey mold on flowers, leaves, stems and buds. It thrives in cool wet weather conditions. Burpee Recommends: Remove affected plant parts, avoid watering at night and getting water on the plant when watering. Make sure plants have good air circulation. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for fungicide recommendations.
Powdery Mildew: This fungus disease occurs on the top of the leaves in humid weather conditions. The leaves appear to have a whitish or greyish surface and may curl. Burpee Recommends: Avoid powdery mildew by providing good air circulation for the plants by good spacing and pruning. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for fungicide recommendations.
Bacterial Leaf Spot: First signs are small translucent spots with a broad yellowish edge that slowly enlarge and become angular or irregularly circular with a reddish center. It thrives in cooler temperatures. The disease may also affect and disfigure flower heads. Burpee Recommends: Remove infected plants. Rotate crops with plants in a different family. Avoid overhead watering. Do not work around plants when they are wet. Remove infected leaves.
Root Rots: A number of pathogens cause root rots of seedlings as well as mature roots. Burpee Recommends: Pull up and discard infected plants. Make sure your soil has excellent drainage. Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for recommendations.
Common Pest and Cultural Problems
Aphids: Greenish, red, black or peach colored sucking insects can spread disease as they feed on the undersides of leaves. They leave a sticky residue on foliage that attracts ants. Burpee Recommends: Introduce or attract natural predators into your garden such as lady beetles and wasps which feed on aphids. You can also wash them off with a strong spray, or use an insecticidal soap.
Thrips: Thrips are tiny needle-thin insects that are black or straw colored. They suck the juices of plants and attack flower petals, leaves and stems. The plant will have a stippling, discolored flecking or silvering of the leaf surface. Thrips can spread many diseases from plant to plant. Burpee Recommends: Many thrips may be repelled by sheets of aluminum foil spread between rows of plants. Remove weeds from the bed and remove debris from the bed after frost. Check with your Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls.
Rabbits or Small Rodents: Chew on plant leaves. Damage is similar to deer damage but not usually as extensive. Burpee Recommends: Use a hot pepper wax spray or rabbit repellent.
Wintergreen FAQs
What parts of the plant is edible? The sweet minty berries are edible but can cause stomach distress. The leaves can lead to belly ache if eaten and are best made into tea. Berries can be made into jelly and pies or as a flavoring agent.
Does wintergreen have fall color? Yes wintergreen leaves can turn red or bronze in the fall. It is evergreen in the winter and does not loose its leaves.
Do you carry Teaberry ? Eastern Teaberry as well as checkerberry and boxberry are all common names for winter berry (Gaultheria procumbens)
Where is winterberry native to? Winter berry is native to the northeaster North American.
My winterberry leaves are pale green do I need to add fertilize? Check the soil pH and make sure it is between 4.5 to 5.5 first. If the pH is too high winterberry cannot absorb the nutrients it needs to thrive.