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Mertensia virginica en masse.
Mertensia virginica en masse. 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 Region, Partridge-berry is a sweet trailing plant with shiny, rounded evergreen leaves distinguished by a stripe down the mid-vein. The 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, evergreen, perennial ground cover Glossy, dark green, rounded to oval leaves with a white stripe down the mid-vein Paired, fragrant white flowers from May to July Ruby red, fleshy drupes from July to December Attributes Tolerates dry soil and dense shade No serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Slow to establish, but forms dense mats in time Edible: fruits insipid; dried leaves used as an herb Attracts bumble bees to flowers; 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 Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Water Requirements: Moist Divide the plants in spring or take stem cuttings in early summer Ensure leaf litter does not cover plants in winter Use under shrubs/trees, in border front and rock, shade, and woodland gardens, on slight slopes Excellent Replacement for Euonymus fortunei - Wintercreeper Glechoma hederacea - Ground Ivy Lysimachia mummularia - Moneywort Vinca minor - Periwinkle Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 *This image, taken in April, shows a drupe that has remained through winter. 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 Region, Partridge-berry is a sweet trailing plant with shiny, rounded evergreen leaves distinguished by a stripe down the mid-vein. The 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.

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

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