Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens
Last reviewed: September 2026
Mitchella repens is a low, creeping evergreen vine that carpets shaded forest floors and blooms with small paired white flowers in June and July, followed by red berries.
Toxicity unknown
Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
2"–6" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul
Native to
AL, CT, FL, IL and 19 more states
Pollinators
bees, moths
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Squawvine is a delicate native groundcover that forms dense, low-growing mats of small, glossy evergreen leaves. It produces tiny white flowers in summer followed by bright red berries that persist into winter, creating year-round interest.
Growing Partridgeberry
Grow Partridgeberry in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 2 to 6 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Partridgeberry is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The flowers attract small bees and moths during summer blooming period. The persistent red berries provide food for birds and small wildlife through fall and winter.
Common questions
- When does Mitchella repens bloom?
- Mitchella repens typically flowers in June and July, producing small paired white blossoms that later develop into red berries.
- What pollinates Mitchella repens?
- Bees and moths are the main visitors to the paired white flowers of Mitchella repens.
- What growing conditions does Mitchella repens prefer?
- This trailing vine does best in part shade with medium, evenly moist soil, similar to the woodland floor conditions where it naturally spreads.
- Is Mitchella repens evergreen?
- Yes, its small rounded leaves stay green through the winter, making it a useful year-round groundcover in shaded garden beds.
- How does Mitchella repens grow?
- It spreads as a low, mat-forming vine that roots along its stems, gradually covering the ground in shaded or partly shaded sites.
- Is Partridgeberry HOA-friendly?
- Partridgeberry is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Partridgeberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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