A ground cover plant gaultheria procumbens also sometimes called eastern teaberry the checkerberry the boxberry or the american wintergreen is great for growing in difficult shaded parts of the garden with minimum fuss and will prevent weeds from growing it can also be planted on sloping ground making it a good alternative to lawn turf it has small waxy leaves that turn a warm red by october small white bell shaped flowers are followed by a profusion of bright red berries in autumn