Gaultheria, red carpet berry

North America. A very hardy species, up to 30 cm in height, resistant to industrial atmospheric pollution, forming many branches. Glossy dark green leathery leaves often turn reddish in winter. Flowers whitish-pink, from June to August. The persistent glossy red berries, present from October to May, are of great ornamental value; because of the essential oils they contain, birds do not peck them. This species should be used much more, as it is suitable not only for rapid groundcover but also for wastelands and rock gardens, for greening graves and even for planting in a balcony box and in a pot. Requires very acidic soil. Hardiness zone 5b.