Grow Pachysandra, a Plant for Shady Landscapes
Planting and Caring for the Ground Cover Pachysandra Terminalis
Sep 28, 2009
Pachysandra is a leafy, low growing ground cover that is often used in home landscaping. It averages about six to ten inches tall and has waxy, medium to dark green leaves. It is one of the few plants that thrive in full shade. This herbaceous plant grows slowly in the first few years but then becomes quite dense. In spring it blooms with small white flowers. The name pachysandra is Greek and means “a thick man” because of the thick stamens in the male flowers. Pachysandra terminalis is a member of the Boxwood family. It was introduced to Europe in the 1880s and landscapers there used it in geometrically shaped beds. Pachysandra is originally from Japan, which is why it is also commonly called Japanese spurge.
Some people confuse Japanese spurge with a similar plant called Allegheny spurge. This plant is different in that it is not as strong as Japanese spurge and it has gray-green colored leaves. Some gardeners prefer it not only for looks but because it native to America. It is commonly found growing wild in the areas from West Virginia to Kentucky. Killing frost will make the leaves of Allegheny spurge die back so it is not evergreen like Japanese pachysandra. Because of this, the flowers are more prominent when the plant comes back in the spring.
How to Grow Pachysandra
Pachysandra is very useful in the home landscape. It will grow in most types of well-drained soils but prefers a neutral pH. This ground cover does not do well in full sun or in poorly drained soil. The leaves will yellow if they get too much sun. It is best for areas that are too shady for other plants and pachysandra often does well on the east or north side of buildings. This plant is excellent to bring greenery to a lawn that has large areas of shade. However, Pachysandra terminalis can be damaged by too much foot traffic. Flats of pachysandra are usually available from home and garden centers in spring and summer. New plantings can be interred at any time when the ground is not frozen. At the very least, give new plantings a few weeks to become established before cold weather sets in.
To prepare the plot remove all grass or other plants. Dig down for about a foot to loosen the soil. Add compost and bone meal to the plot. Gently remove the pachysandra plants from the flat, make a small hole in the soil, insert the plant and pat the soil firmly around it. Leave about six to twelve inches between each plant. Add about three inches of mulch around the plants to choke out any weeds. Water regularly until the new plants are established.
How to Propagate Pachysandra
Pachysandra terminalis is easily grown from cuttings or spread by runners. So, buy only what is needed to begin a project and then use these plants to propagate new foliage for other areas of the yard. Pachysandra also spreads by rhizomes (runners). Be patient and the runners will help fill in a sparsely planted patch. They can be dug up and used for other parts of the yard that needs ground cover. Pachysandra can also be rooted from cuttings. Select parts that have two leaves on them and are about 3-6 inches long. Dip the bottoms of the stems in rooting hormone and gently insert them into a flat of damp, sandy soil. Cover the flat with plastic to encourage humidity. The plants should have a root system within two weeks.
Caring for a Pachysandra Patch
A new Pachysandra bed may take up to three years to become established. Gardeners often say that in the first year pachysandra sleeps, the second year it creeps and the third year it leaps. Eventually plantings can become very dense. In the meantime, keep the plants mulched and when they are large enough they will choke out any weeds themselves. Pachysandra needs about an inch of water per week. Once the plants are settled in only water them if the weather has been dry because they don’t tolerate wet soil. In the spring, sprinkle dry fertilizer around the plants but take care not to get it on any of the leaves. Trim the pachysandra if it begins to spread out over walks or in other areas where it may not be wanted. Otherwise, pachysandra is very easy to care for and can mostly be left alone once established.
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