- Japanese Spurge, also called Pachysandra terminalis, is a groundcover popular for shade gardens. This perennial plant is a member of the Boxwood plant family. A fast-growing plant, Japanese Spurge spreads out in a shrubby mat, sometimes forming clump mounds as it grows. It blooms with white flowers in late spring followed by red berries. This plant is native to Asia and southeast North America. Japanese Spurge is used in USDA Zones 4 to 9 as an evergreen ornamental groundcover.
- This plant thrives in well-drained, humus-enriched soil, though it can grow in most soil types. Japanese Spurge is usually grown from container plants available at garden centers and home improvement stores. This perennial is commonly available in green foliage and grows up to 12 inches tall. Another variety, Silver Edge, has variegated foliage and typically grows up to 8 inches tall. The container plant is easily planted by digging a hole about the size of the pot, adding a sprinkling of fertilizer and dropping the de-potted plant into the hole. Mulch lightly and water regularly for the first year. Once established in the home garden, spurge can be grown from hand-gathered seed, but more typically is divided at the root ball or from cuttings in spring and early summer.
- Japanese Spurge thrives in shade to partial shade conditions. It is low maintenance and used in shade gardens and under trees. The primary requirement is well-drained soil. When watered regularly the first year, the plant becomes deep-rooted and drought tolerant. Japanese Spurge is used as a mass planting as well as groundcover. As spurge spreads, the vegetation mat becomes more solid and tolerates foot traffic as a grass substitute under trees. It often is used as a partial shade edging groundcover. The University of Maryland reports that where deer grazing is a problem, Japanese Spurge is deer resistant.
- The National Gardening Association warns that Japanese Spurge is an invasive plant. Once established, it grows easily and the woody stems make it hard to control. The plant takes over and chokes out nearby plants. It spreads by underground runners and softwood rootings along the ground. In rich and loose soil, it can put roots down 1 to 2 feet into the ground and be hard to dig out. If planted in less favorable growth conditions, the groundcover is less invasive. Newer varieties of Japanese Spurge are slower growing and easier to control.
