About Japanese Spurge
Japanese spurge, more formally known as Pachysandra terminalis, is an old garden standby. It's an evergreen plant that adapts to a wide variety of growing conditions and requires very little maintenance once it is established. It can even tolerate dry shade. This low-growing plant is often chosen to serve as a ground cover or a border plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Pachysandra grows between 6 and 10 inches in height and is hardy in USDA zones four to nine. It has rather thick, leathery leaves with indented edges. Viewed from above, the leaves appear to have a whorl pattern. It is an evergreen plant.
Japanese spurge bears tiny white flowers in the spring, but they are not very noticeable. It spreads by underground rhizomes to form a thick mat. This plant requires very little maintenance.
Geography
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Pachysandra is a member of the Buxaceae family, which makes it related to boxwood shrubs. There are actually five species in the genus Pachysandra. The one most commonly grown in gardens, P. terminalis, is native to East Asia.
The only species native to the Americas is P. procumbens, otherwise known as Allegheny spurge. It is occasionally grown in gardens, especially woodland gardens. -
Benefits
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Pachysandra is a very good ground cover for shady areas, since it will grow even in deep shade. It is quite adaptable in its need for water, so it is often grown under trees and shrubs. It is not, however, a good substitute for grass, because it cannot tolerate much foot traffic.
Types
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P. terminalis is widely grown. Besides the species, four cultivars are commercially available:
P. terminalis "Green Carpet" produces the same thick green mat as the species, although it is not quite as tall and produces more flowers. It received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
P. terminalis "Green Sheen" has very shiny, almost mirror-like green leaves. In 2001, it received the Carey Award.
P. terminalis "Silver Edge" has thin silver-white margins on each leaf. It grows a little more slowly than the species and may not be quite as hardy.
P. terminalis "Variegata" has lighter green leaves with cream-colored variation throughout the leaf. It is not as hardy as the species.
Warning
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Pachysandra can become invasive under favorable growing conditions. In general, however, it is a well-behaved garden plant.
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