Partridgeberry is an evergreen, woody, herbaceous perennial that is a low-growing, creeping, delicate vine in the Rubiaceae (madder) family. It is found naturally in forests, stream-banks, on rotten logs, and in bottomlands and other wet habitats throughout eastern and central North America. Genus name honors John Mitchell (1711-1768), physician of Virginia, born in Lancaster county, who was a correspondent of Linnaeus. Specific epithet means creeping. Partridgeberry prefers part to full shade in moist humus-rich soils with good drainage. It does best if the soil is kept moist. It grows only 2 to 3 inches tall and will spread 12 inches wide. Propagation is by division. It can be difficult to establish. The stems run along the ground in a vine-like fashion often carpeting an area. The leaves are opposite with a smooth margin and white central vein. White, sometimes pinkish, flowers mature in summer. The sprawling herb produces a shiny, red berry with a tiny dimple and star-shaped marks that can persist through winter. This evergreen ground cover displays interesting foliage, flowers, and fruit. Plant in woodland/shade gardens, under trees and in part shade areas of border fronts and rock gardens. Also effective around small ponds. Many gardeners believe this ground cover is not appropriately aggressive for large areas and is best grown in smaller sites. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 3 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low; Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Partridgeberry has oval to heart-shaped, opposite, glossy, dark green leaves (to 3/4” long, 1/2" wide) with whitish veins appear in pairs along the stems pale yellow midrib and below.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower shape
Funnel; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
1/2" long bloom in spring in pairs with a single calyx mostly at the stem ends. Fragrant, four-lobed, funnel tubular shape, hairy white petals which are lightly flushed with pink.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The flowers are subsequently followed by round, bright red berries that typically ripen in late summer (June-July) . A pair of flowers yields one berry, hence the additional common name of twinberry for this plant. The berries, which have a tiny dimple and star-shaped marks, are edible but rather tasteless. The berries often persist on the plants throughout winter. They are 1/4" long and 3/8" across.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Twigs are very delicate and barely woody. They are pale green to brown in color. The stems root at nodes where they touch the ground.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Wildlife value
Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, quail, and small mammals.
Attracts
Small Mammals; Songbirds
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Fairy Garden; Native Garden; Rock Garden; Winter Garden