Wintergreen, Snowline wintergreen
Pyrola minor
Family: Pyrolaceae
What it is like
Pyrola minor is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.1
Where it is found
Coniferous woods, moors, damp rock ledges and dunes, on acid and calcareous soils in full sun or deep shade.
Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, N. Asia to Japan. North N. America
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Fruit. No more details are given. Leaves - raw.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic and tonic.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating:
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Prefers a moist sandy woodland soil in a cool position with partial shade. This is a very ornamental but difficult plant to grow. It requires a mycorrhizal relationship in the soil and therefore needs to be grown initially in soil collected from around an established plant. It is also very difficult from seed as well as being intolerant of root disturbance which makes division difficult. The flowers have a soft almond scent.
Propagating it: Seed - the only information we have on this species is that it is difficult from seed and germinates infrequently. We would suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Sow it into soil collected from around an established plant, only just covering the seed, and put the pot in a shady part of a cold frame. Pot up any young seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, once again using soil from around an established plant. Plant out into their permanent positions when the plants are large enough. You should not need to use soil from around an established plant to do this since the soil in the pot will contain the necessary micorrhiza. Division with great care in the spring. Pot up the divisions using some soil from around an established plant, grow on in a lightly shaded part of a greenhouse or frame and do not plant out until the plants are growing away vigorously.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist