We dig fresh our plants and ship immediately. We ship US Mail, Priority shipping. You will receive a tracking number once your plants ship. All plants will be fine in their packages for up to 3 days after receiving.
How We Protect Your Plants For Transit
We sell only bare root plants. We dip the roots in tera-sorb silicone gel to retain ample moisture for transit and surround with plastic. This is superior protection for plants in transit for up to 12 days.
Upon Receipt Of Your Plants
Open your plants and inspect the same day received. We offer 3 days to report any problems with your order. Bare root plants need to be planted within 2-3 days of receiving unless weather-related problems prohibit planting. Store in a cool place and keep roots moist and covered with plastic until they can be planted. Water for the first week daily after planting.
Shipping Dates
Ships Year Round
Description
Patridgeberry (Mitchella repens L.) Is a Trailing or Creeping Perennial Herb
The partridgeberry plant grows in a dense mat of evergreen foliage producing white flowers in the spring and bright red berries in the fall and winter. It thrives in deciduous, coniferous, or mixed forests in partial or complete shade. It prefers humus-rich, acidic soil with a pH of 6.8 or below. In the home garden, it can be grown in areas that receive morning light with afternoon shade. Partridgeberries add interest to both the summer and winter garden. It can be tucked into shaded nooks, underneath shade trees, or even along the shady borders of your yard.
Partridgeberries Grow Wild in Wooded Areas Throughout Eastern North America
Partridgeberries form a dense mat of foliage when allowed to naturalize. The non-climbing vine grows to 6 to 12 inches in length and remains prostrate along with the soil. New roots form along the vine as it touches the ground creating new plants. This attractive groundcover grows to a height of 2 to 4 inches. It can be found growing wild from Canada to Florida and as far west as Minnesota and Texas.
Partridgeberry Plants Produce Brilliant Red Berries in Late Summer or Fall
After the flowers have faded, each partridgeberry plant produces one large, red berry that contains eight dark seeds. The berries are not edible but are consumed by birds and small mammals. In fact, the partridgeberry plant earned its name from the belief that partridges feast on the berries in the fall and winter.
Partridgeberries in the Garden
In the garden, the partridgeberry plant is ideal for tucking under established shrubs and perennials that provide shade from the afternoon sun. Not only is this a delightful miniature plant that will reward you with bright white blooms in the spring or early summer and striking red berries in the fall, but the dense foliage also helps to control weeds and conserve moisture in the perennial bed. Although it prefers moderately moist soil, partridgeberries require relatively little supplemental watering as the dense foliage serves as a living mulch to the soil, preventing moisture loss to evaporation.
It is a natural addition to woodland gardens and brings a splash of color all year long with its long-lasting white blooms in spring and summer and bright red berries throughout much of fall and winter. Berries soften and release their seeds by spring. While some seeds may sprout and grow, some do not germinate until the following year. If you choose to harvest the seeds with the hopes of starting new plants, be aware the seeds must be coldly stratified for four weeks at 40 degrees for them to germinate. Some seeds may not germinate at all. Partridge berries multiply and spread via rooting along the vine.
