Especially in the gray autumn and winter months, the hardy partridge berry is an ideal plant for gardens, balconies and terraces. The leaves of the perennial, which is often used as a ground cover, change color and shine particularly beautifully in winter. The hardly poisonous berries are also a popular Christmas decoration.

Partridge berries are absolutely hardy

The partridge berry is absolutely hardy

The partridge berry or checkerberry (Gaultheria procumbens) belongs to the heather family. Just like these, the low perennial is fully hardy.

It easily withstands even the lowest temperatures in the garden.

Winter protection in the garden is not required

The partridge berry is so hardy that winter protection is superfluous. You should therefore not cover the perennial, but simply let it grow. If it is covered with snow, it is better to leave it there.

Covering the partridge berry in winter is not recommended because of its colored leaves. It is planted in the garden precisely because of its beautiful colored foliage and the decorative berries, which often hang on the bush even in winter. With a cover, the plant would hardly come into its own.

Partridge berries do not tolerate longer periods of drought. In very dry winters, you should give some water on frost-free days.

Partridge berries in tubs need little winter protection

If you grow partridge berries in tubs or balcony boxes, you have a natural, very pretty Christmas decoration.

In the box or bucket, however, the earth freezes much faster than in the garden. If the temperatures drop very sharply, it can make sense to protect the planter from frost from below.

Place the bucket on a piece of wood or Styrofoam (35.50€) to insulate it. Balcony boxes (€109.00) should be removed and placed in a somewhat sheltered location during the frost period. Water the perennials from time to time so that the soil does not dry out completely.

Proper pruning can prolong flowering into autumn

Partridge berries bloom in July and August. Cut them down a bit in the spring, delay the flowering time a bit.

It's worth it, because that's when the partridge berries bloom at the beginning of autumn and the foliage gets its bright, bronze-colored color right at Christmas time.

tips

If you rub the partridge berry leaves between your fingers, they release a very aromatic scent. It's a bit reminiscent of the smell of chewing gum.

Category:

Vegetable garden