Partridgeberry

Mitchella repens

Partridgeberry is a perennial for edging, groundcover, suited to shade and partial shade and loam or acid soil, flowering May, Jun, Jul.

Where to use it in a border

At around 10 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 8b, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, acid soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Partridgeberry's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
• It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Dwarf Fothergillafor height behind it
• Evergreen Huckleberryfor height behind it
• Florida Anisefor height behind it
• Florida Flame Azaleafor height behind it
• Florida Leucothoefor height behind it
• Fothergilla 'Mount Airy'for height behind it

Garden styles

Foundation planting Native Shade cottage Woodland