Salal
Gaultheria shallon
Salal is a shrub for groundcover, structure, suited to shade and partial shade and loam or acid soil, flowering Apr, May, Jun.
| Type | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 90 cm |
| Spread | 120 cm |
| Aspect | shade and partial shade |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Hardiness | USDA 6a-9a |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 90 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 120 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 6a to 9a, 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 Salal'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
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:
- Allegheny Spurgeto edge in front
- Coral Bells 'Autumn Bride'to edge in front
- Goatsbeardfor height behind it
- Northern Sea Oatsto flower when it does not
- Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Snow Queen'for height behind it
- Oregon Grapefor height behind it
Garden styles
Foundation planting Native Shade cottage Woodland
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: