The mulberry is an enchanting, evergreen plant and offers a number of design options. Cultivation and care are explained here.
Their fruit pods look like delicious berries. But there aren't any. Appearances are deceptive. And that's how the Gaultheria got its trivial name, "Scheinbeere". There are about 115 to 135 Gaultheria species worldwide.
The different types of evergreen shrubs can grow to different heights. This is how the low ashberry reaches a height of up to 15 centimetres. Others can grow up to 250 centimeters. The Gaultheria fragrantissima from the Himalayas even grows up to 5 meters.
The dwarf Gaultheria procumbens, the low cloudberry, is interesting for the hobby gardener because of its diverse design possibilities in the garden.
Portrait of Lesser Checkerberry
Gaultheria procumbens is native to the forests of eastern North America. It has small white to pink flowers and green, glossy foliage. The flowering period is from July to August.
Its evergreen leaves are elliptical, partly ovate in shape and give off a pleasantly aromatic fragrance when crushed.
The fruits of the 15 cm high dwarf shrub are mostly red. There are also species that bear white fruit. Colloquially, the colored fruit balls are called berries. Botanically correct, however, they are fruit capsules on the inner wall of which the seeds of the plant are located.
The cloudberry is particularly suitable for this:
- Because of its small size, you can plant the hardy lowly cloudberry as ground cover. With this plant you set impressive accents in the vicinity of rhododendrons and garden azaleas.
- The dwarf shrub, which belongs to the heather family, can also be combined well with other low-growing ericaceous or heather plants, such as bud heather or peat myrtle
- Planted in tubs or troughs, the Gaultheria procumbens is an attractive eye-catcher on terraces or balconies and a special winter and Christmas decoration.
- The low-lying cloudberry is also popularas a grave plant because it looks peaceful with its delicate flowers from July to August and the reddish fruits from October.
A bright, partially shaded location is favoured
You want your mulberries to grow optimally and develop resiliently? Then it is advisable that you choose a bright but semi-shady place for your haricot. Avoid locations in full sun, where the plant does not thrive.
The dwarf shrub also gets by in shady places, but then it shows tired flowering and therefore has less fruit set.
Soil Requirements
Adjust the soil to the needs of the checkerberry before planting. The soil should be sandy and rich in humus. It is also important to ensure that the soil is slightly acidic to acidic and not too dry. The plant absolutely does not like calcareous soil.
Planting is done in early spring
March is the best time to plant Gaultheria procumbens. At this time, the bush gets used to the new location well. Cloudberries should not be planted during the warm growing season.
How to proceed step by step:
- First loosen the soil
- Then dig out the planting hole
- If necessary, mix the excavation with sand and humus
- Now place the dwarf shrub in the planting hole, fill it with the excavated soil and finally press down the soil carefully
- Last but not least, pour the glass berries vigorously. In the first two to three weeks it is advisable to keep the soil around the new planting regularly moist, because the roots do not yet have the strength to independently draw moisture from the surrounding layers of soil
Good advice: For an area planting you need about 13 to 15 plants per square meter, the planting distance should be about 5 to 8 centimetres.
Watering, fertilizing and other care work
Water with non-calcareous rainwater
The soil in the original habitat of Gaultheria procumbens, the North American forests, is damp. Therefore, the needs for watering are to be adjusted to the traditional areas.
Before watering, allow the soil to dry moderately. Then water the checkerberry in small amounts with lime-free rainwater.
Even in winter, the dwarf shrub is watered on frost-free days. Remember, prolonged periods of drought and waterlogging can damage the checkerberryadd.
Rhododendron fertilizer proves its worth
The nutrient requirement of the lower harebush is low. You can choose between two fertilizer variants. On the one hand, it is sufficient to fertilize the plant outdoors with compost, an organic fertilizer such as pellets or horn shavings. Spring is the best time for this.
On the other hand, liquid rhododendron fertilizer is suitable. Give this to your dwarf shrub, mixed with lime-free water, once a week from April to August. You should not fertilize your cloudberry later, otherwise the plant will not be able to wood sufficiently until the cold season.
Pruning the Common Checkerberry
No regular pruning or pruning is required for the Common Checkerberry. However, you can completely remove wilted leaves and dead shoots all year round.
Overwinter pot and trough plants
- The evergreen cloudberry tolerates temperatures down to -20°C without damage. The dwarf shrubs planted outdoors therefore do not need winter protection.
- However, the soil of container cultures can freeze completely and damage the roots of the plants. However, you do not have to move the planted tubs and troughs to a frost-proof room. It is enough if you cover the planters thickly with burlap.
Dangers for Gaultheria procumbens
- You don't have to worry about biting or sucking insects harming your cloudberry. The crop is largely resistant to pests and diseases.
- Newly planted Gaultheria should be protected from direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves will sunburn and bleach. Old foliage cannot recover from this damage. However, the plant will later sprout new leaves.
- The cloudberry is not immune to root rot. The causes for this are waterlogging and fungal pathogens. This will gradually decompose the roots. Fungicides will not help in this case.
Summary:
Evergreen Checkerberry is an attractive dwarf evergreen shrub. Its red fruits in autumn are not berries but capsules.
The plant needs a bright, semi-shady spot and well-drained, acidic soil. Watering is only moderate, but so much that the soil remains constantly moist. He does not tolerate waterlogging.
Liquid fertilizer for rhododendrons has proven its worth as a fertilizer. The outdoor checkerberry is hardy, but potted cultures need oneProtection.