Sidebells Wintergreen
Orthilia secunda
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Mexico, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States, Virgin Islands
Christian Fischer
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Orthilia
- Species:
- Orthilia secunda
- USDA Symbol:
- ORSE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Subshrub
- Height:
- 25 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, greenish-white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, flies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, acidic, well-drained forest soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in coniferous and mixed forests
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 2-3 months; germination occurs in spring under cool, moist conditions.