Description
Mitchella – Patridge Berry –
There are 2 species of trailing, evergreen perennials in this genus. They occur in woodland in North America, South Korea and Japan. The trailing stems root at the nodes and bear opposite glossy, oval, shaped, 1″ leaves. In summer it bears small, 4 lobed, funnel shaped, fragrant flowers, to ½” long, held in pairs. Flowers are followed by ornamental red or white berries. Grow in a rock garden or woodland garden as a groundcover.
Grow in moist but well drained, humus rich, acidic soil in light dappled or partial shade.
M. repens f. leucocarpa – Running Box – Two-eyed Berry – This prostrate, mat forming perennial from North America grows 2″ tall and 12″ wide. It produces broadly ovate, glossy, dark green, white veined leaves, to 3/4″ long. White, often pink tinged flowers, to ½” long, are borne in early summer, followed by spherical, bright white berries, to ½” across.
Zones 4-9
