Description

Epigaea repens, Trailing Arbutus, Wholesale Native Bare Root Perennials

For Shipping, Install and additional info please see “About Bare Root“.

Native bare root perennials are dug and shipped while dormant, mid October to early spring.

See all available Native Bare Root Perennials

Check the native status of this species for your area via the USDA Plants Database here

Trailing Arbutus is of some importance for several insects. Its flowers attract bumblebees, which are apparently the plant’s main pollinators. Ants are said to be attracted to the berrylike capsule. Trailing Arbutus is a larval host for the Hoary Elfin butterfly. Several insects feed on the foliage, including the larvae of the Brachys howdeni beetle, which may be responsible for the brown blotches observed on some Trailing Arbutus leaves.

Trailing Arbutus appears to be somewhat flexible in terms of its site requirements. It can be found growing in relatively moist locations, but can also thrive in well-drained, acidic soils in sandy or rocky woods.

Epigaea repens L.
Trailing Arbutus, Mayflower, Plymouth Mayflower
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s): Epigaea repens var. glabrifolia
USDA Symbol: epre2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Trailing-arbutus becomes a creeping mat, commonly only 4-6 in. high. The broad, oval, leathery leaves are aromatic and evergreen. A trailing, evergreen plant with sweet-scented pink or white flowers in terminal and axillary clusters on hairy stems. Trumpet-shaped, white to pale pink flowers, also aromatic, are followed by a whitish berry, resembling a raspberry in appearance.

For this favorite wildflower with an exquisite fragrance, one must search among the fallen leaves in early spring. It favors exposed sites where the plants are not smothered by leaf litter. Trailing Arbutus is sometimes referred to as Plymouth Mayflower”” in reference to the fact that it was the first flower to cheer the hearts of the Pilgrim Fathers after the rigors of their first New England winter. (Strickland)”

Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: ME & s.e. NY to OH, s. to FL & MS
Native Habitat: Sandy to peaty woods or clearings
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Well-drained, humus-rich, acid soils.

Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polia)
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Hoary Elfin
(Callophrys polios)

Larval Host

Epigaea repens, Trailing Arbutus, Wholesale Native Bare Root Perennials

For Shipping, Install and additional info please see “About Bare Root“.

Native bare root perennials are dug and shipped while dormant, mid October to early spring.

See all available Native Bare Root Perennials

Check the native status of this species for your area via the USDA Plants Database here