Ground Covers

Virginia Creeper

Virginia Creeper: A Hardy and Beautiful Vine for Your Garden Virginia Creeper, scientifically known as Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a remarkable and versatile woody vine native to eastern North America. This vibrant and attractive plant is celebrated for its aesthetic appeal and ecological significance. How to Care for Virginia Creeper and Enhance Your Landscape One of the most striking features of the plant is its lush foliage. Its leaves consist of five serrated leaflets, resembling the palm of a hand, hence its species name, "quinquefolia," which means "five-leaved." During the growing season, the leaves unfurl into a brilliant green, creating a dense and vibrant canopy. However, the true magic of the plant becomes evident in the fall. As autumn approaches, the leaves undergo a breathtaking transformation, turning into a kaleidoscope of vibrant reds, oranges, and purples. This dynamic display of colors makes it a favored option for adding a touch of grace to garden landscapes. Virginia Creeper is also valued for its role in supporting local wildlife. The dense foliage provides excellent bird cover and nesting sites, while its berries serve as a valuable food source for various avian species, including robins and waxwings. The plant also attracts numerous insects, making it an essential component of local ecosystems. The Benefits of Planting Virginia Creeper: A Low-Maintenance Climber Gardeners and homeowners often appreciate it for its versatility. It can be trained to climb walls, trellises, or arbors, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any structure. Its vigorous growth habit and ability to adapt to various soil types make it a low-maintenance garden addition. Furthermore, its rapid growth can quickly provide shade, making it an excellent choice for creating natural cooling in outdoor spaces. Virginia Creeper is a splendid vine that adds beauty and ecological benefits to its surroundings. With its stunning foliage, wildlife support, and landscaping versatility, it remains a cherished plant in gardens and natural settings across North America. Its vibrant presence and ecological significance make it a symbol of the looks and energy of the natural world.

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger A Versatile Ground Cover for Shaded Gardens Wild Ginger, scientifically known as Asarum canadense, is a fascinating and unique perennial plant that thrives in woodland and shaded environments. This charming plant is celebrated for its distinctive appearance and ability to add elegance to natural landscapes. One of the most remarkable features of it is its heart-shaped leaves. These leaves are typically glossy and rich green, forming a lush carpet-like ground cover in shaded areas. The plant's foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, contributing to its visual appeal. It is well-suited to woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized landscapes, where it can create a carpet of greenery that adds depth and texture to the surroundings. Its adaptability to partial to full shade makes it an excellent choice for areas where other plants might struggle to thrive. In the spring, it produces unusual, bell-shaped flowers that hide beneath the leaves, making them somewhat inconspicuous. The flowers are typically brownish-red and have a unique, intricate structure. While not showy in the traditional sense, they have an intriguing and mysterious quality that adds to the plant's charm. How to Grow and Care for Wild Ginger in Your Landscape Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Wild Ginger supports local wildlife. The plant provides shelter and habitat for small creatures like insects and salamanders, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the woodland ecosystem. This perennial plant is also appreciated for its low-maintenance nature. Once established, it requires little care, making it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance to shaded areas with minimal effort. Benefits of Wild Ginger A Native Plant for Low-Maintenance Gardens In summary, Wild Ginger is a fascinating and distinctive perennial plant known for its heart-shaped leaves and unique, inconspicuous flowers. Whether used as a ground cover in woodland gardens or to enhance shaded borders and naturalized landscapes, it adds a touch of elegance and mystery to outdoor spaces. Its role in supporting local wildlife and its low-maintenance requirements make it a cherished choice for those seeking to enhance their gardens and landscapes' natural beauty and biodiversity.

European Ginger

Discover the Beauty and Benefits of European Ginger for Your Garden European Ginger, from the Asarum species, belongs to the Birthwort family. It’s common in deciduous and coniferous forests in North America and Europe. Most species are evergreens, but a few are deciduous. Ginger should be planted in shady areas or shade gardens and thrives in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Why European Ginger is the Perfect Groundcover for Shaded Areas Depending on your variety of Wild Ginter, flowers bloom in early spring to summer. However, some species stop producing flowers as early as May—variations of flower color range from deep maroon brown to fleshy white trumpets. The flowers are almost invisible because they grow underneath dense leaves. Most species of it will reach about 6 inches in size and grow in a cluster 6 to 12 inches wide. The European Ginger likes to form a symbiotic relationship with fungi. How to Grow and Care for European Ginger: Tips for Thriving Plants It will need a rich, moist, loamy soil. It must maintain a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees until it germinates in 2 to 4 weeks. When the seedlings get large enough, they can be moved into pots for their first year before planting in soil. It needs to grow in partial or complete shade. Mature plants should be planted in the garden in late winter, a month before the last killing frost. Seeds can be started indoors before spring but must be placed in the freezer for three weeks before planting in flats or pots. European Ginger needs to be watered regularly and can be planted in shade gardens or among trees in foresty areas. Most species have heart-shaped leaves and hairy stems. Ginger grows in dense, dull-green mats six to eight inches in height.

Vinca Minor

Vinca Minor: A Beautiful Ground Cover for Any Garden Vinca Minor is a dense groundcover that produces lovely blue flowers in the Spring and Summer. Its evergreen leaves are a deep, rich green color. It grows in mats about 3 to 6 inches high and will spread unchecked if given the chance. How Vinca Minor Enhances Your Landscape with Low Maintenance Appeal It is easy to grow and has few natural diseases or pests. It's not too picky about the soil it's in but will do best with well-drained, moist soil. Its ease of cultivation and spreading tendency make it popular as a low-maintenance groundcover.  Vinca Minor is also known as Periwinkle, Myrtle, and Creeping Myrtle. It was given the Latin name Vinca, meaning to wind around, because its stems were used in wreath making. Minor refers to its leaves, which are smaller than those of its cousin, Vinca Major. It is native to southern and central Europe. Its original range extends from the Netherlands in the north to Portugal in the south and east to Turkey. Today, it is cultivated in many parts of the world. In the US, it is classified as being hardy in zones 3 through 8 and sometimes even further north. Why Vinca Minor Is the Perfect Choice for Shade-Loving Gardens Vinca Minor is best known for its lush, green foliage and flowers that bloom in spring and summer. The color depends upon the variety but can include blue, white, and pink. The USDA hardiness zones advised for this plant are 4 to 9, and it grows best in well-drained soils. When planted 4 to 6 inches apart, this plant will form a thick ground cover and be approximately 4 to 6 feet off the ground when fully mature.

English Ivy

English Ivy: A Versatile and Hardy Evergreen for Your Garden English Ivy is a versatile and iconic plant known for its lush, trailing vines and distinctive lobed leaves. Native to Europe, this evergreen climber has become a popular ornamental plant worldwide due to its aesthetic appeal and adaptability. How to Care for English Ivy: Tips for Thriving Indoor and Outdoor Plants Appearance: It is characterized by its glossy, dark green leaves with a distinctive shape, often featuring three to five lobes. These leaves can vary in size and shape, and they cling to surfaces using aerial rootlets, allowing the plant to climb and cover walls, fences, and other structures. In the fall, the leaves can develop a reddish or purplish hue. Growth Habit: English Ivy exhibits a hearty growth habit, making it an excellent ground cover or a climbing vine. Given the right conditions, it can spread and cover large areas horizontally and vertically. Its growth rate can be both an advantage. Cultural Significance: It has historically held various symbolic and cultural meanings. In ancient Greece, it was associated with Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, and was used to make wreaths worn by Bacchus's followers. Recently, it has been a symbol of academia and is often used as a decoration in academic settings, such as university campuses. It provides several environmental benefits, including air purification by removing pollutants and carbon dioxide. Its dense growth also offers shelter and food for wildlife, such as birds and insects. The Benefits of Growing English Ivy: Lush Greenery and Natural Air Purification Cultivation: It is relatively easy to grow and can thrive in various light conditions, from full sun to full shade. It prefers well-drained soil and benefits from pruning to maintain its shape. In summary, English ivy is a visually striking plant with a rich history and numerous practical uses. Its ability to adapt to different environments and its aesthetic appeal has solidified its place in gardens and cultural traditions, making it a beloved and enduring plant species.

Partridge Berry

How to Grow and Care for Partridge Berry Plants in Your Garden Partridge Berry, Mitchella repens, otherwise known as twinberry or pigeon plum, is a creeping perennial known for its beautiful pairs of white, cruciferous flowers and small red berries. The fruit that the plant produces is edible and, as the name suggests, is regularly eaten by partridges and other birds and animals. While the berries have relatively little flavor, they are reported to have some health benefits and have been used in Native American medicine. The Best Soil and Light Conditions for Partridge Berry Plants  It is native to the eastern United States and Canada and is most commonly found within forests, growing in places with limited sunlight or even in complete shade. The flowers tend to form around early spring or summer, and the fruit is known to last through the colder months into the following spring. Because of its hardiness in the cold and capacity to grow in shady areas, it is a perfect plant to grow in the winter. Propagating the plant, however, can be very difficult to do from seed, so most gardeners recommend using already established plants.   Partridge Berry grows low to the ground, generally reaching no taller than 2 inches, and grows well as a ground cover in shaded areas. It also produces vines that creep along the ground as it grows but will not climb. The leaves are rounded and grow to produce thick mats of a beautiful deep green. Once established, it needs relatively little maintenance but moisture to survive and can be sensitive to drought.  Why Partridge Berry is a Must-Have for Your Garden's Ground Cover   The beautiful colors of Partridge Berry and its capacity to grow through the winter make it a must-have for those interested in keeping their yard or garden beautiful and productive year-round. Whether grown for berries, simply for aesthetics, or as a means of filling a shady area, it is a lovely addition to any landscape.

Running Cedar

How to Care for Running Cedar in Your Garden Running Cedar, also known as Lycopodium digitatum, is an evergreen clubmoss commonly found in North American forests. It's aso known as "ground cedar" or "fan clubmoss" due to its dense, creeping, and ground-covering nature, resembling small evergreen trees or ferns.  Running Cedar has fan-shaped, scale-like leaves arranged along creeping stems that spread horizontally across the ground. These stems produce upright branches that give it a miniature tree-like appearance. It typically stays low to the ground, around 4-8 inches in height, while its creeping runners can spread several feet. The plant is evergreen, maintaining its rich green color throughout the year. Running Cedar thrives in shaded, moist woodland environments, often found in forests with acidic soil. It prefers partial shade but can tolerate deeper shade, often growing under pines or other coniferous trees. Benefits of Planting Running Cedar for Ground Cover Historically, Running Cedar has been collected for use in wreaths and other holiday decorations, thanks to its lush, evergreen foliage. During colinial times and into the 19th century, Running Cedar was frequently used to make wreaths, garlands, and other holiday decorations, especially around Christmas. Its soft, lush, and vibrant green foliage made it popular for such uses. This tradition continued into the early 20th century. While less commonly used in holiday decorations today due to environmental concerns, it remains an important symbol of the forest and is appreciated by botanists, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts for its beauty and ecological significance. Why Running Cedar Is a Perfect Addition to Your Landscape This plant performs a critical role in combating soil erosion by extracting toxins and pollutants from the soil. It's ability to absorb about ten times its own weight makes it an ideal choice for flood zones, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.

Bugleweed Plant

How to Grow and Care for Bugleweed Plants in Your Garden The Bugleweed is a herb-type herbaceous plant with colorful leaves that work great as a groundcover. It is a low-maintenance, perennial plant many gardeners prefer to use as a groundcover as they also provide a splash of color with their profuse blue flower spikes. The spikes shoot out approximately six inches during the spring.  Bugleweed produces flowers throughout the summer and into the fall but is most stunning during the spring when it has been planted in mass. Some varieties of the plant feature variegated foliage and produce blooms in pink, white, or rose. These plants grow from six to nine inches in height and achieve a diameter of about the same.  The Benefits of Planting Bugleweed for Ground Cover and Beauty These plants make terrific borders and look incredible when mixed with other perennial flowers along an edge. Some gardeners enjoy the eye-pleasing effect when planted along stepping stones or inside rock gardens. They make a great companion to the creeping Jenny in a shady part of a lawn.  Why Bugleweed is the Perfect Choice for Low-Maintenance Landscaping It will grow well in moist, fertile, well-drained soil but can tolerate clay and other less nutrient soils. The plant has a creeping tendency and should not be planted near areas where it cannot spread. Edging placed along a border where the plant should not go does well to stop the creeping. When the blooms have reached a deadhead stage, a lawn mower works well to remove them. The plant will propagate through its cuttings, by being divided, and its seeds. The division can be performed at any time of the season and should be done every two years, so it is manageable. Bugleweed is a hardy plant and is not susceptible to disease or pests. It may suffer from crown rot if grown in a hot and humid environment. It also could do better in areas with better air circulation.

Periwinkle Plant

Periwinkle Plant Care Tips for Vibrant Ground Cover The Periwinkle Plant is a small, somewhat dainty plant that grows over the ground. It's an ideal plant to consider if you're looking for something to fill in spaces in your flower beds while adding a little bit of color. The plant also has a light purple appearance. The underside of the flower is usually a bit darker, and the center of the flower is typically white. Leaves on the plant grow to about two inches in length when fully mature. The leaves are usually dark green and shiny, making them stand out among other plants you might have. The plant can reach heights of about six inches, making it an excellent option to have with plants like daffodils or tulips so that there is a range of heights in your garden. How to Grow and Maintain Periwinkle Plants in Your Garden You'll find that it blooms in the spring months of March and April. They can also bloom again during the early fall months. The plant grows in various directions with long trailing as well as shoots that take root in the ground, leading to the plant covering a larger area of space. More significant types of plants grow faster. They typically have leaves about three inches long, with the petals about two inches across. A benefit of Periwinkle is that it only requires a little care to spread and grow. When the tip of the stem touches the ground, it usually begins to take root in that area. Aside from filling empty spaces in your flower gardens, it can help control erosion, especially on banks in your yard. It's also a beautiful plant as it cascades over flower boxes or hangs from flower baskets. The Benefits of Periwinkle Plants: Ideal for Low-Maintenance Landscapes  The plant enjoys shady areas but can grow in sunny ones, making it ideal for almost any location. It doesn't need to be divided as often as others, which means that you can keep it in your garden for a longer period.

Ajuga Reptans

Discover the Beauty and Versatility of Ajuga Reptans for Your Garden Ajuga Reptans is a fast-growing member of the mint family. It is known to spread quickly enough via runners to become invasive in some areas. The reptans part of its Latin name means "to creep." It is a naturalized North American plant introduced from several places in Europe and Asia. Ajuga Reptans grow well in Hardiness Zones 3 through 10. They are susceptible to most dirt, though they prefer slightly acidic. Fully grown plants generally stand 6" to 8" high; flower stalks can grow to 12". Each plant may extend up to 12". They quickly form mats, especially in shaded areas beneath other trees and shrubs. The plant is hardy enough to grow beneath black walnut trees. Ajuga Reptans A Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Solution The plant's growth speed can be controlled by where it is planted. Plants in shadier areas tend to grow faster than those in sunnier regions. The plant is best planted in rock gardens, container-edged beds, or wide-open areas that need ground cover quickly. It lends itself well to erosion control. It should not be planted near any less hardy flowers at home, as it may choke them out. Transform Your Landscape with Vibrant Ajuga Reptans Plants They should be periodically divided and thinned, at minimum, every third year. They flower through the spring and summer, generally beginning in May or June. Pinching off runners helps with this, too. The flowers are blue, purple, or white, though there is at least one cultivar with pink flowers. Other cultivar strains have leaves that are multi-colored or variegated. Beyond thinning, the Ajuga Reptans is relatively low-maintenance. It needs no extra fertilizer and is worry-free against most garden pests. However, care should be taken in areas of high humidity to ensure properly drained soil and prevent southern rot. It is deer and rabbit-resistant.

Sweet Violet

Sweet Violet Care Tips How to Grow and Maintain This Beautiful Perennial There are many members of the viola family, and one of them is the Sweet Violet. Unlike most Violas, they are often used in rock gardens, and soil that is not dry is preferred. If you would like to plant them, you should make sure you amend the dirt with ample portions of compost or rotted manure. You can also choose to plant them in a container filled with lightweight potting mixtures, and they will thrive. Discover the Benefits of Sweet Violet in Your Garden Timing: Plant bare root violets in early spring or fall. Location: Choose a location with partial to full shade. Sweet Violets prefer cooler, shaded environments. Soil: Well-drained, rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Preparation: Soak the bare roots in water for a few hours before planting to rehydrate them. Planting Depth: Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the roots without crowding. Plant with the crown just at or slightly below the soil surface. Spacing: Space plants about 6-12 inches apart to allow for spreading. If you want to see them at their best, they will require lots of sunlight. However, keep in mind that they do not like temperatures over 80 degrees. If the temperature gets too hot for too long, the plant's blooming will stall down, and the plant will ultimately die. Experts advise that you should provide the flower with sunlight during the morning and make sure it has some shade in the afternoon. The Sweet Violets also stop blooming in dry soil so that they will require a lot of consistent watering. But do not water too much because this will also cause them to die. Experts say you should let the top layer of soil dry before the next watering so they do not become saturated. Sweet Violet A Low-Maintenance Plant for Gorgeous Ground Cover You are also advised to deadhead the flowers to keep them blooming for as long as possible. This means removing the dead flowers as soon as possible to preserve the healthy ones. These plants often return and regrow after being deadheaded. Sweet Violets are beautiful plants that are generally low-maintenance. Their flowers are delightful to look at, and it has been scientifically proven that they have a calming effect. The plant can be grown in several parts of the United States.

Creeping Buttercup

How to Grow and Care for Creeping Buttercup in Your Garden Ranunculus Repens, or Creeping Buttercup Plant, is a beautiful herbaceous perennial that provides good ground cover and can be enjoyed year after year with very little maintenance. This low-maintenance flower is perfect for flower beds, lawns, and borders. For a seasonal flower patch, the plant is hearty enough to withstand regular mowing during the off-season when the flowers are dormant. Benefits of Planting Creeping Buttercup for Ground Cover Each plant will expand to a height of approximately 18 inches. Gorgeous yellow flowers will crown the thin stems for up to four months. The leaves of the plant are a luscious green with three hairy lobes. The plants will bloom in late spring and continue through summer from May to August, making them the perfect complement to both early and late bloomers to ensure beautiful flowers all year. The Creeping Buttercup flowers are vivid yellow and are borne in small clusters. Each flower has five shiny overlapping petals and opens to a diameter of roughly 1 inch. They are very aromatic, which makes them a great addition to a bouquet and a terrific attractant to pollinators. Bees make for a healthy garden, which the plant will attract in droves! Keeping the plants healthy requires little effort. They prefer full to partial sun. Though they do best in moist, loamy soil, they have been known to take root in almost any soil condition. From loam to heavy clay, they are prolific colonizers. Each fast-growing plant will spread to a diameter of roughly 3 feet. Given proper care, they will propagate naturally to fill whatever space the gardener desires. A wide range of habitats will allow this plant to thrive, and it is doing well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. Creeping Buttercup: Ideal Conditions and Growing Tips for Success Perhaps best of all, Creeping Buttercups have natural pest-repellent properties. They are avoided by mammalian herbivores, but critters (such as pets) that make the mistake of consuming the plant will only experience stomach discomfort and no lasting poisonous effects.

Partridgeberry

Partridgeberry: A Hardy Groundcover for Your Garden The Partridgeberry plant is a low-growing perennial plant native to eastern North America. This fascinating plant belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is a prominent member of the genus Mitchella. It is renowned for its unique characteristics, historical uses, and cultural significance. How to Care for Partridgeberry Plants in Your Landscape Partridgeberry is a small, creeping evergreen vine typically reaching heights of only 4-6 inches. It thrives in rich, acidic soils and can be found in various woodland habitats, including forests, swamps, and sandy pine barrens. The plant's leaves are opposite, glossy, and dark green, with a prominent vein running down the center. Its most distinctive feature is the small, trumpet-shaped, white to pale pink flowers that appear in pairs at the base of its leaves during the late spring and early summer. These flowers are often followed by bright red, berry-like fruit, which gives the plant its common name. This plant is a low-growing evergreen vine with delicate red berries near the holiday season. The Benefits of Growing Partridgeberry for Year-Round Interest Partridgeberry is a unique and culturally significant plant with a rich history of traditional uses. Its charming appearance, low-growth habit, and distinctive red berries make it a noteworthy addition to the natural landscape of eastern North America. It continues to capture the interest and admiration of those who encounter it in the wild, whether for its ecological role or cultural significance.

Columbine Plant

Discover the Beauty and Benefits of Growing Columbine Plants Aquilegia canadensis, the columbine plant, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the family Ranunculaceae. It is commonly found along the Eastern side of the United States of America. It has a zoning scale that ranges from a 3 to an 8. Aquilegia Canadensis typically grows to a mature height of 2.00 feet to 3.00 feet with a spread of approximately 1.00 to 1.50 feet. How to Care for Columbine Plants for Stunning Garden Displays The columbine plant usually blooms in April through May, which would classify it as a spring bloomer. Aquilegia canadensis has a gorgeous drooping flower that has colors to match its spring bloom. It typically contains various shades of pink, yellow, and red, and each plant produces varying amounts of these colors. When it comes to the sun, this plant requires part shade but, in some cases, can be full sun. It requires a medium water supply to survive, which is easy. The plant has a medium maintenance level with the varying necessary amount of sunlight and the moderate amount of water needed to stay alive. Why Columbine Plants Are a Must-Have for Your Flower Garden If you also enjoy the wildlife in your local area, the columbine plant is well known for attracting hummingbirds due to its high nectar content. The plant can tolerate droughts, dry soil, and a few animals, such as deer and rabbits. Overall, this plant is suitable for anyone who likes a challenge with their gardening and who enjoys seeing lighter colors in their landscape. Mature Plant Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet Mature Plant Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet Blooming Season: April to May (Spring) Blooming Colors: Pink, red, and yellow Water Required: Medium levels required Sunlight Needed: Full to partial shade Zone level: 3 to 8 Tolerates: Drought, dry soil, some animals Experience Level: Medium level of experience

Fan Clubmoss

How to Care for Fan Clubmoss: Tips for Thriving Growth The aesthetically pleasing fan clubmoss is an excellent addition to any lawn or garden. It is the perfect ground cover and environmentally friendly because it absorbs toxins. The hardy planting zone from 4 to 9 provides the best growth potential. Fan Clubmoss: A Versatile Groundcover for Your Garden Also known by its scientific name, Diphasiastrum digitatum, it is part of the Lycopodiaceae family. This thick moss boasts a rich green appearance. It grows well in almost any environment and only needs minimal sunlight. Sprouting usually occurs between July and October. This moss can be traced back over 410 million years and is known as one of the first identified vascular plants. It is found in eastern North America and Canada, then as far south as Florida. According to Native Americans and early European settlers, it was used for various purposes. People who use parts of it should know that the spores are also highly flammable due to the oil content. Spores should be handled with great care. Benefits of Growing Fan Clubmoss in Your Landscape Design  It shoots straight up with horizontal stems ranging from 3-8 inches. The fan-shaped moss releases spores as opposed to seeds. Because it has no flowers, pollination is not required. Maintenance is pretty straightforward. This moss needs very little to survive and thrive. It is also tolerant to drought, heat, and cold. It is excellent for preventing the spread of grass and other invasive weeds. So it can mix with other plants with no problem. This type of moss only needs to be planted once. Even in the worst conditions, they manage to grow back every year. They also keep your other plants in the garden safe and healthy by removing toxins in the soil. Another great use of Fan Clubmoss is preventing soil erosion. Specifically, the moss has worked wonders in mining areas to extract toxins and pollutants from the soil. The plant can also absorb about ten times its weight, making it ideal for flood zones. Fan Clubmoss is not cultivation-friendly. Attempts to transplant it from one area to another have proven highly unsuccessful. This is likely due to the slow spore growth, which can take up to 20 years.

Mitchella Repens

Mitchella Repens The Perfect Ground Cover for Shaded Gardens Mitchella repens, also known as Partridgeberry, is a low-growing, evergreen perennial plant native to eastern North America. It is perfect for adding interest to that slightly attractive shady spot under the trees. It features a small, woody, trailing vine with 6 to 12-inch, thin, stringing stems. It is not a climber but spreads out on the ground. The stringers will root in node spots and continue to fill in the space nicely.  Small, round to heart-shaped, dark green leaves that grow in pairs along the stems. Some leaves have light-colored veins, adding contrast to the deep green. Small, white, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in pairs appear in late spring to early summer. The flowers are fragrant and pollinated by bees. How to Grow and Care for Mitchella Repens in Your Landscape Bright red berries appear in late summer to fall. Each pair of flowers produces a single berry. While not very flavorful to humans, the berries provide food to wildlife and birds, especially partridges, hence its common name. If not eaten by wildlife, the berries will remain colorful all winter. Partridgeberry thrives in partial to full shade and is truly a winter show-off. Its dark green leaves and red berries look festive.  It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils rich in organic matter. Adding leaf litter or compost to the soil can create the ideal environment. Benefits of Mitchella Repens A Low-Maintenance Option for Beautiful Ground Cover Partridgeberry is a slow-growing ground cover that forms a dense mat over time, helping prevent soil erosion in shady areas.  Once established, it is low maintenance and easy to control.  Mitchella Repens is an excellent choice for naturalizing areas in shaded gardens. It looks great and provides ecological benefits.