Plant Doctor Archive

Suckering Pernettya

Question ANY suggestions as to how I can keep Pernettya mucronata under control? It is a lovely shrub, evergreen with blossoms and red berries (which the birds just love), so it is a real asset to any garden. But — it suckers and runs around madly all over the place. Help!

Answer  PERNETTYAS (now called Gaultherias) are hermaphrodites and the rapid growth of suckers compensates for their self-fertility. Pull the suckers, don’t cut them. Try not to disturb the soil as this can cause more suckering. This species of Pernettya is known well for its suckering habit, so you may be waging a losing battle I’m afraid.

Weekend Gardener, Issue 91, 2002, Page 20