How to grow and care for Salal plant

 

Salal plant is a lush plant that grows abundantly in the woodlands of the Pacific Northwest, primarily along the Pacific coast and the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, from Alaska to California. According to history salal plant was a staple of Native Americans long before the appearance of early explorers.

Furthermore, this plant is an evergreen plant with glossy, waxy foliage that remains beautiful every year. The fuzzy, white or pink bell-shaped flowers droop from the plant in spring, soon to be replaced by bluish-black berries. Hikers who actually pick the berries often find themselves sharing the bounty with deer, bears, elk, beavers and other wildlife. These berries are also enjoyed by songbirds, grouse and hummingbirds.  

What is Salal plant really used for?

This plant berries are used much like any other berries, incorporated into jelly, sauce, jam, compote or fruit leather. While salal berries are flavorful, they are slightly earthier than blueberries, huckleberries, thimbleberries or wild blackberries. For this reason, a lot people like to mix salal berries with juicier berries. The glossy foliage is a favorite of florists.    

How to grow salal plants

If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 you may be able to grow salal plants in your garden. To grow this plant you also require rich, well-drained, acidic soil. This plant grows best in partial shade, often reaching heights of five feet or more. If the plant is grown in full sunlight it may attain a height of one to three feet.

How to care for salal plant

Don’t forget that salal plants are woodland plants. Make sure you water the plant as necessary during dry weather to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Also a layer of bark chips or other organic mulch will help to keep the roots damp and cool. This plant care is minimal. You can prune the salal plant in spring to restore the desired shape or to remove the dead or damaged growth.