Liver-leaf Wintergreen
Pyrola asarifolia
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
4"–12" H × 4"–8" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul
Native to
CA, CO, IA, ID and 19 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Liver-leaf wintergreen is a compact native groundcover with glossy, rounded evergreen leaves and delicate pink to white bell-shaped flowers in summer. This woodland plant stays low and tidy, forming small colonies in shaded areas where few other plants thrive.
In an HOA neighborhood
Liver-leaf Wintergreen takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Too woodland-like for formal landscapes
- May appear sparse or wild to conventional standards
- Requires specific shade conditions that limit placement options
Wildlife value
The summer flowers attract native bees and beetles, providing nectar when many other native plants have finished blooming. The evergreen foliage offers year-round ground cover for small wildlife.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Liver-leaf Wintergreen fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.