Checkerberry
Gaultheria procumbens
Checkerberry is a perennial for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun to partial shade and loam or acid soil, flowering Jul, Aug.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 15 cm |
| Spread | 60 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Hardiness | USDA 3a-8a, RHS H5 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 15 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 60 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 8a and rated H5 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, acid soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Checkerberry's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
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Worth knowing
- Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Azaleafor height behind it
- Blue Windflowerto edge in front
- Camelliafor height behind it
- Camellia 'Adolphe Audusson'for height behind it
- Cherry Laurelfor height behind it
- David Viburnumfor height behind it