Single Delight: A Rare Woodland Gem for Your Shade Garden
If you’re looking for a truly unique native plant that will make visitors to your garden stop and take notice, let me introduce you to single delight (Moneses). This charming little woodland perennial might just be the most aptly named plant in North America – it truly is a delight to discover blooming in the forest understory.
What Makes Single Delight Special
Single delight is a small but mighty herbaceous perennial that belongs to the wintergreen family. True to its name, each plant produces just one exquisite white flower that nods gracefully on a slender stem, typically reaching only 2-6 inches tall. The waxy, five-petaled blooms have a subtle fragrance and appear in early to mid-summer, creating an almost ethereal presence in shaded woodland areas.
The plant forms small rosettes of evergreen leaves that remain attractive year-round, making it valuable even when not in bloom. These thick, rounded leaves have a slightly waxy texture and can develop reddish tints in colder weather.
Where Single Delight Calls Home
This remarkable native plant has one of the most extensive natural ranges in North America. Single delight is native throughout Canada, Alaska, and much of the northern United States, thriving in locations from coast to coast. You can find it growing naturally in states and provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, Manitoba, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and many others.
Why Grow Single Delight in Your Garden
Here are compelling reasons to consider adding this native beauty to your landscape:
- True native status: Supporting local ecosystems by growing plants that evolved in your region
- Unique visual appeal: The nodding white flowers are unlike anything else in the shade garden
- Low maintenance: Once established in suitable conditions, it requires minimal care
- Pollinator support: Small native flies and beetles appreciate the nectar source
- Conversation starter: Few gardeners have heard of this plant, making it a true garden treasure
Perfect Garden Settings
Single delight is ideally suited for:
- Woodland gardens and naturalized forest settings
- Shade gardens with acidic soil conditions
- Rock gardens in deeply shaded areas
- Native plant collections
- Areas designed to mimic natural forest floor ecosystems
Growing Conditions and Care
Here’s where single delight gets a bit particular – and honestly, that’s part of its charm. This plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 2-7, preferring:
- Light: Deep to partial shade (direct sunlight can be harmful)
- Soil: Cool, consistently moist, well-draining acidic soil rich in organic matter
- Moisture: Consistent moisture without waterlogging
- Special requirements: Mycorrhizal associations with soil fungi are essential for healthy growth
Planting and Establishment Tips
Fair warning: single delight has earned a reputation as one of the more challenging native plants to establish in cultivation. But don’t let that discourage you entirely! Here’s what you need to know:
- Source responsibly: Only purchase from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate rather than wild-collect
- Soil preparation: Amend soil with plenty of leaf mold and organic matter to mimic forest conditions
- Placement: Choose the shadiest, coolest spot in your garden
- Patience required: Plants may take several years to become fully established
- Minimal disturbance: Once planted, avoid disturbing the root area
A Word of Caution (and Encouragement)
Single delight is notoriously difficult to transplant and cultivate outside its natural habitat. Many gardeners consider it nearly impossible to grow successfully in typical garden settings. However, if you have the right woodland conditions – particularly cool, acidic soil with established mycorrhizal networks – it can be incredibly rewarding.
If your garden doesn’t quite match single delight’s exacting requirements, consider these easier native alternatives for similar woodland charm: wild ginger, bunchberry, or various native violets.
The Bottom Line
Single delight represents the holy grail of native shade gardening – a plant so specialized and beautiful that successfully growing it feels like a true accomplishment. While it’s not for every garden or every gardener, those with suitable woodland conditions and a spirit of adventure will find this native gem absolutely worth the effort.
Remember, even if you can’t grow single delight in your own garden, you can still appreciate it by visiting natural areas where it grows wild – and perhaps that’s exactly as it should be for such a perfectly adapted native species.
