The Mint Flavored Perennial Ground Cover
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
by Dennis Sons
tn nursery
The mint flavored shrub- Wintergreen
Wintergreen is a group of plants closely related to the genus Gaultheria. Wintergreen is an evergreen shrub because of the year around green foliage. The Wintergreen plant is also known as Canada Tea, Checkerberry, Chink, Mountain Tea, Hill berry, Spiceberry, Teaberry, Redberry tea, Ground berry, Box berry, Grouse berry, Ivory plum, and Red pollom. Wintergreen leaves are usually collected throughout year to be used for health purposes. The wintergreen is found in temperate climates and in the wild can be seen growing from northern eastern Canada, west to the prairies and south to Georgia and Florida. In the wild, wintergreen can be seen growing along hedges or borders of small alleys and lanes.
The Wintergreen plant is an evergreen, shallow creeping shrub that releases and aromatic minty smell. The shrub grows to a height of 4-8 inches. The leaves are dark green and glossy; and the blooms are small white bell shaped flower. The winterberry is most well known for its bright red edible cherries. While the berries are used for medical purposes, the leaves are also used to extract a variety of aromatic oils
Wintergreen shrubs are more commonly known because of their medical benefits. People who consume the berries of the wintergreen plant claim that the extracts can relieve joint pain, headache, fever, sore throat and various muscle pains. Wintergreen extracts are also widely used to flavor confectionary, candies, chewing gum and chocolates. It is also used to impart the minty odor to chewing and dipping tobacco; and dental products like tooth paste and mouth wash.
Besides humans, the berries are eaten by animals and birds and leave a nice residual minty flavor.
The Wintergreen shrub also contains a chemical substance which is very similar to aspirin. It is believed that this chemical is the reason why wintergreen can help relieve fever and body aches.
The wintergreen is relatively easy to grow when the soil is well drained and there is ample sunlight. The plant does require a lot of water during the early period of growth because of its heavy rooted system.
The mature plant does need some pruning to maintain its shape. Because the plant offers an immediate impact on landscape, it is a good choice for many home owners.
For more on the wintergreen shrub, please visit www.tnnursery.net
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