Flower Library
Salal
Gaultheria shallon · Heidekrautgewächse (Ericaceae)
Salal may be the most reliable filler greenery of all: leathery, deep green leaves on flexible stems that give a bouquet volume, depth and a clean frame. We buy our salal directly at the Veiling Rhein-Maas in A1 quality, which is why it stays fresh noticeably longer than the standard greenery you usually encounter.
- Season
- Year-round
- Vase life
- 14–21 days
- Latin name
- Gaultheria shallon
- Colors
- Dark green, Deep green, Matte green
In the floral trade salal appears under several names: often simply as salal, occasionally as „lemon leaf“, or in German as Shallon-Scheinbeere. Botanically it is Gaultheria shallon from the heath family. The individual leaves are five to ten centimetres long, oval, glossy dark green on top and duller underneath, with a finely serrated edge.
In floristry salal is primarily filler and base greenery. It conceals floral foam, forms the green foundation of bouquets and arrangements and gives large designs structure. Because the stems are flexible yet sturdy, they can be shaped well without snapping, which also makes salal popular for wreaths, table runners and floral wall pieces.
Its most important quality feature is longevity: salal easily outlasts the entire vase life of most cut flowers and, in good quality, holds for two to three weeks. Fresh, flawless material without browning leaf edges is key. This is exactly where buying directly at the auction pays off, because the greenery does not sit for days in the wholesale chain.
Stylistically salal is an all-rounder. The deep, calm green forms a beautiful contrast to bold flower colours and works equally well in delicate, romantic combinations. In natural, wild bouquets it adds depth, in clean, modern arrangements it provides a tidy green base structure. It harmonises with almost every cut flower and is therefore a constant in our summer and winter assortments alike.
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle and place salal in clean vases with fresh, cold water.
- 02Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline so the water does not turn foul.
- 03Change the vase water every two to three days and re-trim the cut ends each time.
- 04Keep cool and out of direct sun; protect from radiator heat and draughts.
- 05Flower food is optional, as salal is very robust and needs hardly any care.
- 06If stems wilt slightly, an hour of fully submerging them (leaves included) revives them.
Frequently asked
- How long does salal last in the vase?
- With good quality and fresh water, salal stays attractive for two to three weeks, outlasting almost any cut flower. Our auction-sourced A1 material regularly reaches the upper end of that range.
- Is salal toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- Salal is considered harmless; the plant's dark berries are even edible and traditionally used. The leaves contain only minute traces of methyl salicylate, which are negligible at this level. As cut greenery in a bouquet salal is therefore unproblematic. Even so, pets and small children should not nibble on vases or plant parts.
- When is salal in season?
- As evergreen foliage, salal is available all year round. Through the Veiling Rhein-Maas we receive it in fresh, consistent quality throughout the year, which is why it is a permanent component of our bouquets in every season.
- What is salal used for in floristry?
- Salal is classic filler greenery: it fills bouquets, conceals floral foam and gives arrangements, wreaths and larger designs a calm, dark green base structure. Thanks to its flexible stems it can be shaped in many ways.