Sarracenia × mitchelliana
Mitchell's pitcher plant
Southeastern United States (Gulf Coastal Plain)
Overview
Sarracenia x mitchelliana is a carnivorous, rhizomatous perennial pitcher plant of hybrid origin between S. leucophylla and S. purpurea. It forms rosettes of upright to semi-reclining hollow pitchers 8–20 inches (20–50 cm) tall, intermediate in stance between the tall S. leucophylla and the squat S. purpurea. The pitchers are green to coppery with white patterning and red veining toward the top, and a flaring hood stands over the mouth. Insects are drawn to nectar at the rim, fall into the tube, and are digested in fluid at its base, supplying nitrogen the plant cannot take from poor bog soil. In spring, before or with the new pitchers, nodding flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) across open on leafless stalks in shades of red and pink. The plant needs constant moisture, full sun, and acidic, nutrient-poor soil, and grows in standing water at the edges of bogs. It tolerates neither lime, fertilizer, nor drying out, any of which can kill it. The rhizome enters winter dormancy, when most pitchers die back.
Native Range
The hybrid arises where its parent species grow together in the bogs and wet pinelands of the southeastern United States, mainly along the Gulf Coastal Plain. It occurs in seepage bogs, wet savannas, and pond margins on acidic, peaty ground.Suggested Uses
Grown in bog gardens, at pond and water-garden margins, and in wet containers without drainage holes, in full sun. Kept by carnivorous-plant collectors for its patterned hybrid pitchers.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread10" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Nodding flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) across open in spring, often March to April, on leafless stalks before or with the new pitchers. Each flower has drooping red to pink petals over a broad style disc and lasts one to two weeks. Flowering finishes as the main flush of pitchers develops.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Red to pinkFoliage Description
Green with white patterning and red veiningGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in constantly wet, acidic, nutrient-poor soil such as a peat-and-sand mix, standing in 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water through the growing season. Watering uses only rain or distilled water, as tap-water minerals and any fertilizer damage the roots. Full sun brings out the white and red pitcher colour, while shade leaves pitchers green and weak. The plant needs a cool winter dormancy, when most pitchers brown and the rhizome rests. It is hardy in the ground through about USDA zones 6–9 with a wet, mulched crown. Drying out, even briefly, can kill it.Pruning
Dead and browned pitchers are trimmed off in late winter before new growth starts. Spent flower stalks are cut at the base after bloom. Removing dead material lowers fungal problems in the wet crown.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons