Gaultheria antipoda aka Snowberry

Gaultheria antipoda is an evergreen shrub native to New Zealand. It belongs to the heath family, Ericaceae. Its common names include snowberry and New Zealand bilberry. Its native range spans North, South and Stewart Islands. It grows in shrubland from lowland sites into the mountains. It also occurs in open ground and rocky places. This species is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The shrub reaches about 4 feet (1.2 metres) in height. It keeps its leaves through the year. Leaf size and shape vary within the species. This means plants need not all have the same look. In Britain, it flowers from June to July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The fruit measures about half an inch (12 millimetres) across. Its size makes it a small fruit crop.

The fruit can be eaten either raw or cooked. It has a sweet taste and juicy flesh. Fruit picked later in the season can lose much flavour. Plants For A Future rates its food value two out of five. That source lists no known hazards for this species. It also lists no known medicinal uses or other uses. Those gaps do not prove that every plant part is safe. The fruit is the only part listed as food.

For garden growth, choose moist soil rich in humus. The soil should drain well rather than stay boggy. Sandy and loamy soils suit it. It needs lime-free soil and can grow in very acid conditions. Shade or part shade suits its needs. A woodland edge with dappled light offers a suitable setting. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 8–11. It also warns that outdoor growth in Britain suits milder areas. Its year-round leaves give it a place in woodland gardens.

Seeds need a cold spell before sowing. Plants For A Future suggests chilling them for four to ten weeks. Sow them on the surface of lime-free compost. Keep the compost moist in a shaded greenhouse spot. At 20°C, seeds may sprout within one to two months. Young seedlings can suffer from damping off. Careful watering and good airflow help reduce this risk. Grow seedlings in light shade through their first winter. Plant them outside in late spring or early summer.