 |
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Extra notes and interesting information:
|
 Tops
need pruning to stay attractive.
According
to Oregon State University, the “genus Pernettya
was designated by a French botanist, Charles
Gaudichaud-Baeupe, in 1825 to honor Antoine J.
Pernetty, author of Bougianville’s voyage
to South America.
|
 |
The genus Gaultheria was created
earlier in 1735 by C. Linnaeus to honor Dr. Gaultier, a physician of Quebec City. Some 200
years later in a review of the 2 genera, several
hybrids of Gaultheria and Pernettya were
described, however, the authors did not suggest
uniting the 2 genera, believing that more study
was needed. In 1990 a thorough study of the 2
genera was published and the authors concluded
that Pernettya should not be maintained as a
separate genus. This has resulted in Pernettya
being merged into Gaultheria. However, in the
nursery trade, the Pernettya designation is
still frequently used.” |
|
References:
Bellevue Botanical Garden Plant Collection
Plant for a Future
RHS Gardening for All
Oregon State University |
|
AKA:
Gaultheria
mucronata ‘Rubra’
Common Name:
Prickly Heath,
Lily of the Valley Tree, Chilean Pernettya
Plant type:
Evergreen Shrub
Family:
Ericaceae
Height/Spread:
:
Height
2-4 feet, spread 2-5 feet, compact, spreading by underground
runners. Can be invasive.
Leaves:
Glossy, tiny,
dark green and pointy. Some turn red-bronzy in the winter.
Berries: Beautiful fleshy
round red berries have metallic sheen and persist through fall and
winter.
Bloom Time:
Flowers, May
and June. Berries, Fall through end of Winter
Growing Conditions:
Likes
regular moisture and acid soils. Tolerates wind and wet
conditions.
Diseases/pests:
Natural
Range:
Chile, and from
Mexico to the Antarctic, New Zealand and Tasmania.
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 7
Location:
Groundcover Garden, Bed GC -15
Accession #:
96-248 |
Complete
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