Orthilia secunda
Orthilia secunda · Ericaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant orthilia secunda: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green, small alternate leaves
- Flowering
- Summer (June-August), small white-pink flowers in one-sided racemes
- Mature size
- 15 to 30 cm in height
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20 °C
- Origin
- Temperate boreal and mountainous regions of Europe, Asia and North America
- Soil type
- Acidic, rich in organic matter, well-drained
- Light
- Part shade to shade
Care
Light
One-sided pyrola thrives in part shade to shade, in forested or semi-shaded environments. Avoid full sun which dries out the fine foliage. A location near deciduous trees or on a north-facing wall works perfectly.
Soil and compost
Plant it in acidic to neutral soil, enriched with organic matter (leaf mold, blonde peat). Drainage must be excellent to prevent root asphyxia. Gently loosen the soil surface regularly without compacting it.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist but never waterlogged. During dry periods, gentle and regular watering is preferable to heavy watering. Prefer rainwater or low-mineral water.
Fertilizer
One-sided pyrola is undemanding and needs no fertilizer if the soil is rich in organic matter. A light annual application of well-decomposed compost in spring is more than sufficient.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply remove spent flowers if you wish. Let the plant form its natural, low and spreading habit.
Diseases and pests
Pyrola is generally very resistant. Watch out for excess water which promotes mold; ensure adequate drainage. Few specific pests target it under natural conditions.
Did you know?
One-sided pyrola owes its common name 'one-sided' to the characteristic arrangement of its small flowers which all align on the same side of the inflorescence, as if to better capture the diffuse light of forest understories. This discreet plant of boreal regions has long featured in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Nordic and Siberian folk medicine.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Strawberry treeArbutus unedo
- Tree HeathErica arborea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.