Gaultheria depressa aka Gaultheria Depressa

Gaultheria depressa, or mountain snowberry, is a small evergreen shrub. It belongs to the heath family, Ericaceae. Kew lists its native range as Tasmania and New Zealand. It grows in temperate climates and keeps its leaves year-round. In New Zealand, it occurs on North, South, and Stewart Islands. Its range there extends south from about 39° south latitude.

This low shrub reaches about 0.33 feet [0.1 metres] tall. It spreads to about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] wide. Its low form makes it useful as ground cover. Wild plants grow in open grassland, herbfields, and boggy ground. They occur from mountain slopes into the alpine zone. Records place them as high as 5,900 feet [1,800 metres]. Garden sites can include sunny woodland edges and lightly shaded borders.

Plants flower from May to June, according to Plants For A Future. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The fruit measures about 0.026–0.049 feet [0.008–0.015 metres] across. People can eat it fresh or cook it. The flesh tastes sweet and holds juice early in the season. Later fruit can lose moisture and become dry. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards or medicinal uses. This does not establish safety for pets or every possible use.

In gardens, give it moist soil with plenty of humus. Avoid leaving the roots in boggy soil despite its wild habitat. Sandy and loamy soils suit it. Plants For A Future lists acid and neutral soils as suitable. Its care notes, however, stress the need for lime-free soil. Choose sun or light shade. The source lists USDA zones 8–11 but warns of limited hardiness in Britain. Plants may also have short lives in cultivation. Mice can shelter beneath them and chew stem bark in winter. This damage can cause shoots to die back.

Seed needs a cold spell before sowing. Plants For A Future recommends four to ten weeks of chilling. Sow on the surface of lime-free compost and keep it moist. Use a shaded greenhouse position. Germination can take one to two months at 20°C. Seedlings can suffer from damping off, so water with care. Good airflow also matters. Keep young plants in light shade under glass through their first winter. Set them outside in late spring or early summer.