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Shortia Shortia galacifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
SHORE-tee-uh guh-lay-sih-FOE-lee-uh
Description

Oconee Bells is a rare wildflower in the Lindley family that is found in the Appalachian mountains of GA, NC and SC. It is found growing in shady conditions along stream banks, often where a disturbance has occurred. It spreads by short runners to cover an area and may have a toxic effect on surrounding vegetation. Single 1-inch white to pinkish blooms occurs in early spring. Bees will visit the flowers.

In cultivation, this plant is used as a ground cover in a shade garden or a woodland setting. It may be slow to get established. It prefers partial shade and sandy or clay loams rich in humus. Once established it needs little care and provides year-round interest with the fall color change that lasts all winter.

This plant was initially discovered in 1788 and then not found again for over a century despite searching for it. The genus name honors a 19th-century Kentucky botanist, Dr. Charles Wilkins Short. The common name comes from Oconee County in South Carolina.

The plant is considered endangered and may not be collected in the wild. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#shade garden#year-round interest#endangered#NC native#spring interest#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source soft mast fruit#FACU Piedmont Mountains#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#perennial#fall color#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#shade garden#year-round interest#endangered#NC native#spring interest#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source soft mast fruit#FACU Piedmont Mountains#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#perennial#fall color#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Shortia
    Species:
    galacifolia
    Family:
    Diapensiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mountains oF SE USA
    Distribution:
    GA, NC, SC, TN, VA
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    3-parted oval capsules that split to release seeds. Displays from July to August.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1 in. white to pinkish nodding flowers on 3 to 6 in. stalk; five irregularly toothed petals. Blooms March-April.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    1-3 inch oval to roundish shiny leaves on long stems with wavy toothed margins and a heart-shaped base and flat or slightly indented tip. Turn bronzey red in the fall.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green smooth stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Songbirds