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Chimaphila umbellata

pipsissewa

Ericaceae

Circumboreal (North America, Europe, Asia)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Fragrant (light)

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–7

Overview

Chimaphila umbellata is a low, evergreen, rhizomatous subshrub in the heath family, growing 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) tall and spreading by slender underground stems into open colonies. The leathery, glossy dark green leaves are 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, toothed, and arranged in whorl-like clusters along the upright stems. In midsummer each stem carries a nodding umbel of three to eight waxy, fragrant flowers, white to pink, about 0.5 inch (1.2 cm) across, with five rounded petals and a prominent green central ovary. The flowers ripen into erect, rounded brown seed capsules that persist into winter. Chimaphila umbellata grows in dry to moist, acidic, humus-rich soil in coniferous and mixed woodland, where it depends on soil fungi for nutrients. This mycorrhizal relationship makes it slow to establish and difficult to transplant or grow from seed. The leaves have a history of medicinal and flavouring use. Limitations include exacting soil and shade needs and very slow growth.

Native Range

Chimaphila umbellata has a circumboreal distribution across North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America it ranges from Canada and Alaska south through the northern states and along the mountains. It grows in dry, acidic soils of coniferous and mixed forests, often among pine litter and on shaded sandy banks.

Suggested Uses

Chimaphila umbellata is grown in woodland and native plant gardens, shaded rock gardens, and conifer underplantings on acidic soil, spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart. It suits naturalistic, undisturbed shade plantings rather than conventional borders and is used in restoration of acidic forest understorey.

How to Identify

Identified by whorl-like clusters of leathery, glossy, toothed evergreen leaves on low woody stems, and by nodding umbels of waxy white-to-pink flowers in summer. Each flower has a large green central ovary ringed by ten stamens. The erect brown seed capsules and the woodland, pine-litter setting are further marks.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 10"

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Chimaphila umbellata blooms in midsummer, around June to August, with each stem bearing a small umbel of nodding, fragrant flowers. Bees and other insects pollinate the waxy flowers. The capsules turn upright as they ripen and release tiny seed in autumn, holding on the stems through winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pink

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand peat loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Slow; establishes over several years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Chimaphila umbellata grows in part to full shade on acidic, humus-rich, well-drained woodland soil with a pH near 4.5-6.0. It depends on specific soil fungi, so it resists transplanting and is slow and unreliable to establish in gardens. A cool root run, a mulch of conifer needles, and undisturbed ground suit it. It needs steady moisture but not wet soil and declines in sun, drought, or limy ground. No fertiliser is wanted, since the plant draws nutrients through its fungal partners. It performs most reliably when left undisturbed once settled in a suitable spot.

Pruning

Chimaphila umbellata needs no pruning and resents disturbance. Spent flower stems can be left to form the persistent seed capsules or removed once they brown. Any handling is kept to a minimum, since the plant recovers slowly from damage to its roots and rhizomes.