Gaultheria hispida ( Tasmanian Snow Berry ) is an edible shrub that is native to Tasmanian and Victoria. Tasmanian Snow Berry is a cold hardy, fairly drought tolerant and produces small white edible berries during autumn. The berries have all the texture of a Gooseberry but are slightly bitter to the taste. This species makes an ideal short, low maintenance hedge or border plant.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Also commonly known as the Copperleaf Snowberry. This is due to the leaf margins which look like a dusty red or copper-like colour.
Snow Berries are considered a native bush tucker. However, they have a poor reputation when it comes to taste. They were quite acceptable with indigenous Aborigines who ate them before they were ripe. When picked slightly earlier than a normal berry the taste is certainly sweeter.
Growth
Gaultheria hispida is a small, upright shrub that rarely reaches its maximum height of 1 metre (3 feet). Tasmanian Snow Berry is a hardy plant to around -10°C / 14°F and tolerates dry spells once established. Young seedlings are easily damaged or even killed with frost spells or hot summer sun. They are best kept well protected until well into their second or even third seasons.
Leaves of the Snow Berry grow to 9 cm (almost 4 inches) and appear dark green glossy with fine copper tinged margins. The branches and stems can appear dark red, almost maroon and grow untidy if left unpruned. White flowers appear during the second or third season in mid-late spring and bloom until late summer. This species is hermaphrodite and has both male and female organs on the same flower.
Small white berries with a distinctive red or pink star-shaped top. They grow no larger than 10mm and arrive in the autumn.
FAMILY:
Ericaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10 to 25°C / 14 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining, moist soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1 metres (3 feet)
pH:
6.5-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light – Medium
POLLINATION:
Bees, Instects
MATURITY:
2-3 years
GERMINATION RATES:
60-75%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-4 weeks after sowing.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 3500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes, but can turn bitter when overipe.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY
Cold Storage – 4°C (Fridge). 1-2 years
FACTS ABOUT GAULTHERIA HISPIDA (Tasmanian Snow Berry)
The species of Gaultheria consists of 135 plants that have a native range that includes Asia, Australasia, North and South America.
Early colonial settlers and Aborigines were regular consumers of the Tasmanian Snow Berry.
The first Lord Wakehurst showed a charming plant from his garden in Sussex at Westminster in August 1927 and the species still grows there in the Heath Garden.
