40 Wintergreen Plants (Chimaphila Maculata) Live Groundcover – Zones 6-7

Overview

Discover the beauty and utility of wintergreen plants with this generous offering of 40 individual specimens. Specifically, these are Chimaphila maculata, commonly known as spotted wintergreen, striped wintergreen, prince’s pine, or pipsissewa. These charming evergreen perennials are an exceptional choice for adding year-round interest to your garden, particularly in shaded or woodland settings. Each of these 40 live plants is ready to establish and spread, creating a lush, vibrant carpet. Known for their distinctive variegated leaves and stoloniferous root system, Chimaphila maculata are native to North America and highly valued for their ecological benefits and aesthetic appeal in naturalized landscapes. This quantity ensures you have ample plants to cover a significant area or to distribute throughout your garden for a cohesive look.

The resilience and adaptability of wintergreen plants make them a favorite among gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet impactful groundcover. Their ability to thrive in dappled light conditions makes them ideal for planting under trees or in other areas where many plants struggle. With their unique foliage, they provide visual interest even when not in bloom, offering a consistent green backdrop with striking white veins. This bundle is perfect for those looking to create an extensive naturalized area or to undertake a larger landscaping project. These are not just plants; they are an investment in the long-term beauty and ecological health of your garden.

Key Benefits

Adding wintergreen plants to your garden provides a multitude of advantages, contributing to both the aesthetic and ecological value of your outdoor space. Their unique characteristics make them a standout choice for various landscaping needs.

• Exceptional Groundcover: The stoloniferous root system of Chimaphila maculata allows it to spread effectively, forming a dense, attractive carpet that suppresses weeds and reduces soil erosion. This natural spreading habit makes it an ideal solution for challenging shaded areas where turf grass might not thrive.
• Year-Round Evergreen Foliage: Enjoy consistent color and texture in your garden throughout all seasons. The vibrant green leaves with their distinctive white stripes provide visual interest even during winter, ensuring your landscape never looks barren.
• Low Maintenance & Hardy: Once established, these spotted wintergreen plants require minimal care. They are well-adapted to their native environments and can tolerate a range of conditions, making them perfect for busy gardeners. They are particularly resilient in USDA zones 6-7.
• Ecological Value: As native plants, they contribute to local biodiversity, providing habitat and resources for various wildlife. They help create a balanced ecosystem in your garden.
• Unique Aesthetic Appeal: The striking variegated leaves of Chimaphila maculata add a touch of elegance and uniqueness to any garden design. Their subtle beauty stands out against other foliage, creating a captivating visual contrast.
• Adaptable to Shade: Unlike many plants that demand full sun, these groundcover plants thrive in partial to full shade, making them an excellent choice for woodland gardens, under large trees, or on the north side of buildings.
• Naturalizing Potential: These plants are excellent for naturalizing areas, blending seamlessly into a woodland setting and creating a wild, untamed beauty that feels authentic and serene.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your wintergreen plants (Chimaphila maculata) is relatively straightforward, especially when planted in their preferred conditions. Understanding their needs will ensure these beautiful groundcover plants flourish in your garden for years to come. The key to success lies in replicating their natural woodland habitat as closely as possible.

Sunlight Requirements: Chimaphila maculata thrives in partial to full shade. In their natural environment, they are found on the forest floor, receiving dappled sunlight filtered through tree canopies. Avoid direct, intense afternoon sun, which can scorch their delicate leaves. A location with morning sun and afternoon shade, or consistent filtered light throughout the day, is ideal. For optimal growth, ensure they receive at least 4-6 hours of indirect light daily.

Watering & Soil: These plants prefer consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. Water regularly, especially during dry spells or their establishment period, ensuring the soil remains damp but never soggy. Reduce watering in cooler months. The ideal soil type is rich in organic matter, slightly acidic, and well-draining. Incorporating compost or leaf mold into your planting area will mimic their natural woodland soil and provide the necessary nutrients and structure. A pH between 4.5 and 6.0 is generally preferred. This specific soil composition also benefits the overall health of your spotted wintergreen.

Temperature & Hardiness: Chimaphila maculata is hardy in USDA zones 6-7. They are accustomed to temperate climates and can tolerate cold winters as long as they have some snow cover or mulch for insulation. Protect them from harsh winter winds, which can desiccate their evergreen foliage. No specific fertilization is typically required in rich, organic soil, but a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring can encourage vigorous growth if your soil is poor. Watch for common pests like slugs and snails, which can be managed with organic baits or barriers. By providing these ideal conditions, your striped wintergreen will become a thriving part of your landscape.

Size & Details

This offering includes 40 Wintergreen Plants, specifically Chimaphila maculata, ready to be planted and establish. Each plant is a healthy, live specimen, carefully selected to ensure successful transplantation into your garden. While individual plant size may vary slightly upon arrival due to natural growth patterns, they are typically robust enough to begin spreading and growing effectively soon after planting. As a low-growing groundcover plants, Chimaphila maculata generally reaches a height of 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) with a spread of 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) per plant over time, eventually forming a dense mat. Their slow to moderate growth rate means they will gradually fill in an area, creating a natural and serene landscape.

These plants are shipped in a manner that protects their root systems and foliage, ensuring they arrive in optimal condition for planting. The quantity of 40 plants provides ample coverage for a significant area, making them ideal for larger landscaping projects or for establishing a dense groundcover quickly. Expect them to begin showing new growth and spreading within the first growing season, with full establishment and dense coverage typically achieved within 2-3 years. They are robust and resilient, designed to thrive and enhance your garden’s beauty for many years.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these 40 Wintergreen Plants get? A: Each Chimaphila maculata plant typically reaches a height of 4-8 inches and can spread 6-12 inches. With 40 plants, you can cover a significant area, creating a dense groundcover over time.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: These wintergreen plants are primarily outdoor plants, ideally suited for woodland gardens, shaded beds, or naturalized areas in USDA zones 6-7. They are not typically grown as indoor houseplants.
• Q: How much sunlight do Chimaphila maculata need? A: They thrive in partial to full shade, preferring dappled light or locations with morning sun and afternoon shade. Direct, intense afternoon sun should be avoided to prevent leaf scorch.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established in their preferred conditions, spotted wintergreen is quite low-maintenance. Providing the right soil and light conditions is key, after which they are quite resilient.
• Q: What condition will the 40 Wintergreen Plants arrive in? A: Your groundcover plants will be carefully packaged to ensure they arrive alive and healthy, ready for planting. We take great care in preparing them for shipment.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these wintergreen plants? A: The best time to plant is typically in spring or early fall, allowing the plants to establish their root systems before extreme summer heat or winter cold sets in.
• Q: Will these striped wintergreen survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, Chimaphila maculata is hardy in USDA zones 6-7 and will survive winter in these regions, often maintaining their evergreen foliage. Providing a layer of mulch can offer additional protection in colder parts of their range.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for these plants? A: They prefer well-draining, consistently moist, and slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. Mimicking a woodland soil composition with compost or leaf mold is ideal.
• Q: Can these plants be used for medicinal purposes? A: Historically, some species of wintergreen have been used in traditional medicine. However, we do not recommend using these plants for medicinal purposes without professional guidance, as they are sold as ornamental groundcover plants.
• Q: How long until these 40 Wintergreen Plants form a dense groundcover? A: While they will begin spreading in the first growing season, it typically takes 2-3 years for them to fully establish and form a dense, continuous groundcover.