Rolland Asley

Partridge Berry

Mitchella repens
A very low, trailing, woody, evergreen groundcover, reaching up to 6 ( averaging 3 ) inches in height, that slowly spreads to a maximum width of up to 20 feet over 30 years, though easily contained. Its average width in about 10 years is only 3.3 feet. Partridge Berry is a native of woodlands in eastern North America ( Ontario; south to Arkansas, Texas to Florida ). Partridge Berry looks especially great along woodland pathways.
The attractive oppositely-arranged, rounded leaves, up to 1.3 x 1 inches, are glossy deep green with white veining.
The tiny, pinkish-white, funnel-shaped flowers, up to 0.5 inches in length, are borne paired during late spring.
They are followed by scarlet-red berries, edible during autumn, persisting through most of the winter.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in partial to full shade on fertile, neutral to acidic, well drained soil. It is important to removed fallen leaves during autumn as they can easily smother this plant. Propagation is from seed and naturally layered stems.

* photo of unknown internet source