Pachysandra terminalis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pak-ih-SAN-drah ter-min-AL-iss
- Description
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Japanese spurge or Pachysandra is a broadleaf evergreen, herbaceous perennial or ground cover in the boxwood family (Buxaceae). Native to Japan and northern central China, it grows 6 to 12 inches high and 12 to 18 inches wide.
Pachysandra does best in part shade to full shade and is intolerant of full sun as foliage bleaches in full sun or high wind. It thrives in the sun-dappled shade that large trees provide. Even though pachysandra can tolerate drought conditions, it prefers moist, slightly acidic soils that have high organic matter and are well drained. This plant is often utilized as ground cover. Establishing a ground cover takes about three years in suitable climates when new plantings are spaced 6 to 12 inches apart. If pachysandra has experienced problems with leaf blight, plant thinning is recommended to promote good air circulation. Additionally, overhead watering should be avoided.
Pachysandra blooms in early spring and is a very common ground cover that spreads by rhizomes to form large colonies beneath trees or shady areas. It helps control erosion on slopes and banks. It also works well as a border or foundation planting. Include it in a children’s garden or recreational play area.
Diseases, Insects and Other Plant Problems: Pachysandra is susceptible to leaf blight, root rot and euonymus scale. It can spread aggressively and is difficult to remove.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Children's Secret Garden at Wilson Botanical Gardens Reynolda Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Autan
- ‘Green Carpet’
waxy deep green leaves on compact stems that do not trail, grows neatly and uniformly. - 'Green Sheen'
Lustrous leaves, deep green, more tolerant of heat, slow growing. - 'Variegata'
Clean white marginal mottling on glossy leaves, much slower growing.
- Autan
- Autan, ‘Green Carpet’, 'Green Sheen', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Autan
- ‘Green Carpet’
waxy deep green leaves on compact stems that do not trail, grows neatly and uniformly. - 'Green Sheen'
Lustrous leaves, deep green, more tolerant of heat, slow growing. - 'Variegata'
Clean white marginal mottling on glossy leaves, much slower growing.
- Autan
- Autan, ‘Green Carpet’, 'Green Sheen', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pachysandra
- Species:
- terminalis
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- groundcover
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan and North Central China
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are a berry-like drupe, whitish in color, and less than an inch in size. Fruits are rarely seen.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small, inconspicuous, and apetalous. Stamens are dull white. Inflorescence is an upright spike at shoot end at the center of leaves and are 1-2" in size.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves (2 to 4 inches long) are alternate, simple, obovate to oblong-rhombic to oblong-ovate, dentate, cuneate, and are 3-nerved at the base. Leaves are clustered at upright shoot tip and appear to be whorled.
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Bark:
- Bark Description:
- True bark does not develop.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are decumbent, greenish, and glabrous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
