Salal
Gaultheria shallon
Also listed as Brossaea shallon, Shallonium serrulatum
Also known as Shallon
Climate Match for your location
See how well Salal grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Salal is a native Pacific Northwest shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and small white to pink bell-shaped flowers followed by dark purple berries. It thrives in woodland conditions and is valued for both ornamental interest and edible fruit.
Why grow it
Salal offers reliable evergreen structure and shade tolerance that suits understory planting in temperate woodlands where many fruiting shrubs struggle. Compared to similar woodland berries like huckleberries, salal tolerates drier summers once established and produces consistent crops with minimal pruning. The fruit ripens over an extended period, reducing harvest pressure compared to species with synchronized maturity.
Watch out for
Salal spreads vegetatively through rhizomes and can gradually expand beyond intended boundaries in suitable conditions, requiring occasional containment in smaller gardens. Fruit production and plant vigor vary noticeably with site conditions, so establishment may be slower in less favorable microclimates than in optimal Pacific Northwest coastal settings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, California)
Native to: Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Salal is a native Pacific Northwest shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and small white to pink bell-shaped flowers followed by dark purple berries. It thrives in woodland conditions and is valued for both ornamental interest and edible fruit.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Salal grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Salal offers reliable evergreen structure and shade tolerance that suits understory planting in temperate woodlands where many fruiting shrubs struggle. Compared to similar woodland berries like huckleberries, salal tolerates drier summers once established and produces consistent crops with minimal pruning. The fruit ripens over an extended period, reducing harvest pressure compared to species with synchronized maturity.
Watch out for
Salal spreads vegetatively through rhizomes and can gradually expand beyond intended boundaries in suitable conditions, requiring occasional containment in smaller gardens. Fruit production and plant vigor vary noticeably with site conditions, so establishment may be slower in less favorable microclimates than in optimal Pacific Northwest coastal settings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, California)
Native to: Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.