I have always been amazed at how wide spread this native is considering its reputation for being very site-specific. It ranges from the Canadian border southward to the tip of Florida. Moving east to west, habitat is from the coast to a line drawn by IL, KY, TN and Georgia. In the state of Indiana Epigaea is located in two southern counties and six along the far northern edge. When reading wildflower guides habitat descriptions are acidic, rocky soil in pine or oak woods on hillsides. Occasionally the word ‘dry site’ will be mentioned. However, dry in typical eastern deciduous/evergreen mix translates to wet in spring and dry come summer and early fall.
Epigaea repens is a perennial sub-shrub and broad-leaved evergreen in the same family as rhododendrons. Mature leaves can reach four inches in length by about two inches across. The oval leaves feel a bit rough in texture and appear as if carved from balsa, painted green, and artfully arranged in overlapping patterns. Without snow cover the leaves can be damaged since the plant is shallow rooted, easily freezing and drying out in winter winds. Creeping stems are hairy and may reach up to a foot or more in length. Just as the flowers are going over new growth appears past the mature foliage. Look for delicate pinkish-tan immature growth.
Trumpet shaped blooms are about one-half inch in length, arranged in tight clusters. They begin in pristine white and age to shell pink carrying a delightful fragrance. Blooms appear to be a bit shy as they are often peeking from under the mature leaves. In my garden the blooms begin to open the later part of March and last well into April.
There must be variations in heights for plants from site to site, for I see figures from two to over six inches given in literature. In my garden they stay under two inches in height. I began with 2 single starts four years ago and now each transplant measures two feet wide by three feet in length.
Unless containerized well rooted cuttings are used, the best time to transplant trailing arbutus is just after the flowers fade and new growth begins for the season. Transplanting can be accomplished at other times, but more care and attention must be used.
I constructed a raised bed from layers of peat moss and pine bark mini-chips to a depth of eight to twelve inches. The bed is top dressed with pine needles. Location is on the north side of a hill beneath mature cedar and pine trees. An eastern location would be second preferred exposure. I believe not only acid soil is required, but also a duff for the shallow root system.
In the same bed I use pink ladyslippers, trillium undulatum, trillium catesbyi, vernal iris and creeping wintergreen as companions.