Chimaphila maculata (Spotted Wintergreen)

Grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive foliage and flowers, Chimaphila maculata (Spotted Wintergreen) is an evergreen, rhizomatous wildflower with stiff, lance-shaped olive-green leaves, mottled with white. In winter, the foliage takes on a dark purplish color. In early to late summer, small clusters of nodding, very fragrant, waxy white or pinkish flowers, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), appear at the top of slender stems. The stems emerge from creeping rhizomes, growing 4–10 in. tall (10–25 cm). The blossoms give way to small capsules bearing the seeds which are dispersed by the wind. Native to eastern North America and Central America, Spotted Wintergreen occurs naturally in dry woods where it increases both vegetatively and by seedling reproduction. Attractive all year round, this evergreen plant adds beauty to the woodland edges with is pleasingly variegated leaves. Use it in a dry woodland setting as a ground cover or under shrubs to provide color.

• Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 6-9 in. wide (15-22 cm).
• Easily grown in dry, acidic, sandy, well-drained soils in part shade or full shade.
• Undemanding and virtually pest-free and disease-free, Spotted Wintergreen is excellent for naturalizing in woodland gardens, and wild or native plant gardens. Great as a ground cover or under shrubs in a dry woodland setting. Deer resistant.
• The foliage is considered toxic to sheep.
• Native to eastern North America and Central America, from southern Quebec west to Illinois, and south to Florida and Panama.