Description: Hardy, evergreen, North American perennialHabit: Small white tubular flowers in spring followed by bright red berries in winter; dark green foliageCulture: Trailing, mat-forming plant rooting from stemsHardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 4Origin: North AmericaAttributes: Showy fragrant flower and edible fruit; winter interestThis charming, evergreen woodland groundcover, which grows in the forest at Monticello, was named for John Mitchell by Linnaeus in 1753. A practicing apothecary and field botanist, Mitchell corresponded with noted people of science including Linnaeus and John Clayton. Although born in Virginia, Mitchell moved to England in 1746, where he assisted in establishing the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew in London. This species was noted by the 18th-century naturalist John Clayton and a 1783 broadside for the Bartram's nursery in Philadelphia included partridge berry.This plant will ship bare root. #1 grade.Bare root planting tips: If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center. Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery. Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
| 