Chimaphila maculata

Common Names

Spotted Wintergreen, Pipsissewa, Striped Wintergreen, Spotted Pipsissewa, Rat's Bane, Striped Prince's Pine, Striped and Spotted Wintergreen, Rheumatism Root

Summary

Chimaphila maculata is an evergreen, rhizomatous subshrub native to eastern North America. It forms low, spreading mats with leathery dark green leaves often mottled with conspicuous white stripes along the veins; leaves are arranged in whorls or alternating along stems. Nodding clusters of fragrant white to pinkish flowers, each with five petals, appear in late spring to early summer. After flowering, capsules develop, and evergreen foliage may take a purple tint in winter. Habitat and cultivation emphasize shade and dry, well-drained soils that are acidic or sandy; commonly grown as ground cover in woodland gardens or under shrubs, providing year-round foliage. Cultivation is challenging due to reliance on mycorrhizal associations; seed germination is difficult and division is delicate; propagation often requires soil from around an established plant. Hardiness is USDA zones 5–8. Deer tend to avoid the plant, and pest pressure is low, making it suitable for shaded woodland landscapes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-12 inches

Spread

6-9 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade, to full shade.

Soil Type

Lime-free, acidic, well-drained soil (sandy, loamy, or clay), humus-rich leaf-litter woodland soil.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, acidic soil

Soil pH

No single ideal pH, wide range from acidic to alkaline, lime-free soils

Bloom Color

White to pinkish

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green leaves with white variegation

Fall Foliage Color

Green; no fall foliage color; evergreen leaves stay green year-round.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Bees and other pollinators, Birds