Salal

Salal (Gaultheria shallon, Ericaceae) is a native broadleaf evergreen shrub ranging from Alaska to California in forest understory habitats, typically 2 to 4 feet tall but ranging from 1 foot in sun on poor soil to 10 feet in shade on good soil. Urn-shaped white to pinkish flowers appear in late spring, followed by edible dark blue berries. The plant spreads extensively by rhizomes.

Salal grows in part shade on wet-tolerant soils (pH 5.5 to 7.0) with moderate to high water needs, hardy in Zones 6a to 8b. The berries have an edibility rating of 5 and were a major traditional food resource for indigenous peoples. No significant pest or disease issues and no cultivars are documented.