Shortia galacifolia

Oconee Bells. Clumps of crinkled oval leaves, glossy green with scalloped edges, turning shades of red and pink in the sun. Fringed white bells on 4-6" stems. The back of the leaves is shiny. Native to parts of the eastern USA. Shortias are one of our most popular plants. They are attractive through all seasons, having glossy, deep green leaves that often turn red in fall and winter, in addition to the early spring flowers, white or pink and ruffled. The literature about their culture stresses that they grow best in areas with cool, damp summers, in neutral to acid soil, humus-rich and well drained. In Portland, Oregon our summers tend to be mostly dry with often low humidity, 20 to 30%, and extended periods of 80ºF occasionally in the 90s ºF. Night temperatures are much lower. Our established clump of Shortia galacifolia is thriving with a south west exposure under tall conifers which give some dappled shade. We do provide our woodland landscape with a nightly 20 minute micro-mist. We use no fertilizer except in the sales growing area where all of the plants get two or three applications of 1/2 strength 20-20-20 each spring into summer.