Epigaea asiatica

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

Epigaea asiatica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Open woods in the mountains. In forest margins at elevations of 100 - 1700 metres.

E. Asia - C. and N. Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit. No more details are given. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A ground cover plant for a shady position, forming a carpet of growth. Plants should be spaced about 25cm apart each way. This species is probably not very worthwhile for ground cover in Britain because of its difficulty to cultivate.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Requires an open lime-free humus-rich soil and shade from direct sunlight, succeeding also in deep shade. Grows well in the shade of rhododendrons and other calcifuge shrubs. A difficult plant to grow in cultivation, though it is easier than E. repens. The flower buds require a period of chilling to about 2°c before they will open. The flowers are sweetly scented. They are produced in terminal racemes on the previous year's shoots.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame. Another report says that the seed requires no pre-treatment and can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. Surface sow and place the pot in light shade, do not allow it to dry out. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 5 weeks. As soon as they are large enough to handle, pot up the seedlings into individual pots. Be very careful since they strongly resent root disturbance. Grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse and plant them out in their permanent positions in the late spring of their second years growth. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.Take the cutting with a part of the previous year's growth. (This report is unclear as to whether it means a heel of older wood or just a small section of older wood) Plants self-layer and can be divided in the spring but this must be done with great care since they deeply resent root disturbance.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Ground Cover;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Parapyrola trichocarpa.