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Source for Creeping Wintergreen; May Plant Sale #892750

Asked February 17, 2025, 8:49 PM EST

First question is for Rachael Spires: Where did you get your creeping wintergreen? We're trying to change our yard--mostly shaded Anoka Sand Plain--over to native plants, and finding plants for these conditions has been challenging, especially with our deer and rabbit populations. So, your blog article on creeping wintergreen really caught my attention. However, my usual sources of native plants don't seem to be selling this critter, perhaps because it's difficult to propagate. So, at what "local garden center" were you lucky enough to stumble across it? Second question is for anyone: Does the Anoka County Master Gardener May Plant Sale feature a lot of native plants, or is it mostly cultivars and exotics? Thanks! Ron

Anoka County Minnesota

Expert Response

It's a tough time to know what garden center will have this year.   It appears that Gertens may have carried it last year.   Your best option is to call the centers and see what they've ordered in.   The real name is Gaultheria Procumbens so that you know you have the correct plant. 


It's too early to know specifically what they'll have at the ACMG plant sale,  but here's a link to the county listing for the sake and contact info:

https://extension.umn.edu/event/save-date-anoka-county-master-gardener-plant-sale



Kim Sullivan Replied February 20, 2025, 10:42 PM EST
Rachel Spires isn’t an expert on this forum so your question cannot be forwarded to her. 
I found a post from her and I would pay particular attention to the last paragraph. Location and soil composition seem to matter to these plants and the Anoka sand plain probably won’t support its growth. It is unlikely to thrive without a lot of soil amendments and special care unless your location is different from much of Anoka. 
https://anokamastergardeners.org/gardening-articles/creeping-wintergreen-a-unique-groundcover

It's a tough time to know what garden center will have this year. It appears that Gertens may have carried it last year. Your best option is to call the centers and see what they've ordered in. The real name is Gaultheria Procumbens so that you know you have the correct plant.

It's too early to know specifically what they'll have at the ACMG plant sale, but here's a link to the county listing for the sake and contact info:

https://extension.umn.edu/event/save-date-anoka-county-master-gardener-plant-sale

Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer Replied February 21, 2025, 6:59 AM EST

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