Yerba de Selva or whipple vine, a wonderful small scale evergreen native ground cover. Related to Hydrangeas but this trailer is actually very droughtadapted.e In late spring clouds of small white flowers , Scrambling plant to about 8″ tall and 2′ wide. Full sun to considerable shade. From Portland south this is a common understory component of the herb field. It grew happily in our back 40 where I grew up. There it made pretty scrambling patches between Vancouveria, snow berry and hairy honeysuckle. Often you would see our native columbine ( Aquilegia formosa) as an associate. Its very drought adapted when established but it improves with a few soaks over summer- never perpetually wet and never hot and wet. Otherwise an easy native that should be grown a lot more. For use as a small scale ground cover plant on 10″ centers. It will also gracefully trail over rockeries and walls. Butterflies adore the flowers. Competes well with invasives. Some deer resistance. It may be cut back in early spring to refresh. Once native in the Portland city limits. This is a great native understory for Arctostaphylos, which is frequently seen in the wild. Oregon native plant.
Whipplea modesta
Family: Hydrangeaceae Genus: Whipplea
Plant type: Ground cover, Herbaceous perennial
Biomes/Growing conditions: Deer Resistance, Dry Shade, Low Water/No Water, Oregon Coast, Western Native, Willamette Valley Natives
Sun exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
USDA Hardiness zone: Zn5b -10º to -15ºF
Foliage color: Mid Green
Foliage season: Evergreen