Save 20% Off 10 Species Plug Trays of 50 Native Plants 20% Off Shipping!
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Save 20% Off 10 Species Plug Trays of 50 Native Plants 20% Off Shipping!
Spend $100 and Choose a Quart Free - Free Quart Choices Listed Under Sale in Menu
Phonetic: gol-THAIR-ee-ah pro-KUM-benz
American wintergreen is a low-growing evergreen shrub native to North America. It typically reaches half a foot in height and spreads by underground rhizomes, forming dense mats of glossy green leaves that turn reddish in winter. This plant is well-adapted to cool, temperate forest floors, where it thrives under partial to full shade. It prefers acidic, well-drained, and organically rich soil conditions commonly found beneath coniferous or mixed woodlands.
American Wintergreen plays an important role in maintaining forest diversity. Its dense foliage helps reduce soil erosion and provides ground cover for small forest animals and insects. The plant’s leaves give off a characteristic wintergreen aroma which deters many herbivores. However, birds, deer, and small mammals like chipmunks and foxes often feed on its berries during the colder months, aiding in seed dispersal.
American Wintergreen typically blooms in early to mid-summer, around June to July, producing small, white to pale pink, bell-shaped flowers that hang beneath the leaves. These blossoms attract native pollinators such as solitary bees, which can access the flower’s nectar despite its nodding form. Following pollination, American Wintergreen produces bright red berries that ripen in late summer to fall and persist through the winter. These berries not only provide an important cold-season food source for wildlife but also add to the plant’s ornamental appeal in gardens and natural landscapes.
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