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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Mitchella repens (Partridge-berry)

Mitchella repens (Partridge-berry) fruit in April. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2010-04-16, Columbia, Maryland.
Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2015-07-11, National Arboretum.

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Mitchella repens Partridge-berry Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Common throughout the Mid-Atlantic,* Partridge-berry is a sweet trailing plant with shiny, rounded evergreen leaves distinguished by a stripe down the main vein. Fragrant, paired, white tubular flowers form half-inch stars in early summer followed by red berry-like fruits (drupes), which may persist through the winter into early summer. The Virginia Native Plant Society named Partridge-berry as Wildflower of the Year in 2012. Ground Cover Leaves and Buds, Flowers, and Fruit** Height: 4 inches Spread: 1⁄2–1 foot Bloom Color: White, pinkish Characteristics Low, trailing, evergreen ground cover Opposite, ovate to rounded, glossy dark green leaves with a white stripe down the midrib Paired, fragrant, funnelform flowers with 4-ovate- lobed, densely-bearded corollas from May–July Ruby red, fleshy drupes from July to December Stems root at nodes; slow to form dense mats Attributes Tolerates dry soil and dense shade; no serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Edible: fruits insipid; dried leaves used as an herb Attracts to flowers, bumble bees and to the fruit, game birds and small mammals (fox, chipmunk, and mice) that spread seeds to new areas Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Humus-rich acidic soil Water Requirements: Moist Excellent Replacement for Euonymus fortunei - Wintercreeper Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade, Shade Glechoma hederacea - Ground Ivy Hedera helix - English Ivy Divide the plants in spring or take stem cuttings in early summer Ensure leaf litter does not cover plants in winter Lysimachia nummularia - Creeping Jenny Vinca minor - Periwinkle Use under shrubs/trees, in border front and rock, shade, and woodland gardens, on slight slopes *It is native to DC, common throughout DE and VA, and present throughout MD and PA. **This image, taken in April, shows a drupe that has remained through winter. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3a–8b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Tyler Ormsby (top), Arlington, VA and by Elaine Mills, Arlington, VA and Columbia, MD

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Mitchella repens (Partidge-berry)

Common throughout the Mid-Atlantic,* Partridge-berry is a sweet trailing plant with shiny, rounded evergreen leaves distinguished by a stripe down the main vein. Fragrant, paired, white tubular flowers form half-inch stars in early summer followed by red berry-like fruits (drupes), which may persist through the winter into early summer. The Virginia Native Plant Society named Partridge-berry Wildflower of the Year in 2012.

*It is native to DC, common throughout DE and VA, and present throughout MD and PA. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: Tried and True Plant Fact Sheets