how do you plant pachysandra terminalis

How far apart do I plant pachysandra?

For massing, space plants 12 inches apart. This cultivar grows well intermingled with hostas, ferns and bleeding hearts -- all perennials with substantial root systems. Allow 24 to 36 inches between pachysandra and perennials to prevent interference with perennial roots.

How do you encourage pachysandra to spread?

Water well during the first 2 weeks while the roots are being established. Water once a week thereafter to encourage faster spreading. Pachysandra is drought resistant, but watering often helps it spread faster.

Can you plant pachysandra in mulch?

Answer. Pachysandra prefers soil that is moist but well-drained, shaded, and well amended with organic matter. Newly planted Pachysandra needs some mulch to retain moisture, but mulch is not necessary once the plant is established. Use no more than 1 inch of new, fine or medium shredded mulch.

What is the best time to transplant pachysandra?

springAnswer. Use a sharp spade to dig up manageable clumps complete with roots, and replant immediately. You can do it in the fall, but very early spring is probably better because the plants will have more time to get established.

How do you prepare soil for pachysandra?

Prepare soil by breaking it up 3 to 4 inches deep, removing weeds and rocks. This groundcover perennial thrives in soil that's rich in organic matter. Work decayed manure, leaves, compost or other locally available material into beds prior to planting.

Is Miracle Grow good for pachysandra?

Do not use Miracle Grow. Miracle Grow is a high nitrogen, quick release fertilizer that has a lot of salts in it. Over time, the salts in Miracle Grow cause the pH of the soil to go down (become more acidic) which will eventually affect the growth of the plants.

Will pachysandra spread on its own?

Pachysandra Care Must-Knows It spreads with rhizomes and will cover bare ground when left to do its thing.

How long does it take to root pachysandra?

7. Check for roots in approximately two months. Gently tug the base of the cutting and feel for movement; if the cutting moves, it hasn't rooted yet.

Will pachysandra take over grass?

Like many plants imported from Japan (think Japanese wisteria), pachysandra terminalis can spread beyond the garden to take over a lawn or nearby flower beds. If that is not an issue for your garden, there are several Japanese hybrids to consider. Green sheen and silver edge are popular and easy to find.

How many flats of pachysandra do I need?

Pachysandra is commonly sold in flats of 24, so you would need seven flats of plants to fill the bed on 8-inch planting centers. Installing the pachysandra on 6-inch centers would require 310 plants or 13 flats of 24 pachysandra.

What happens to pachysandra in the winter?

These plants are adapted to thrive under deep or patial shade common underneath trees and on the north sides of houses. The evergreen leaves of pachysandra commonly “burn” and turn brown when grown in sunny, exposed places during the winter.

Will pachysandra choke out weeds?

Grow pachysandras close together so that they are planted 6 inches apart and in staggered rows. This allows the plants to fill in the area quickly, choking out weeds in the process. Often, pachysandras are planted 1 to 3 feet apart, but this makes the area more susceptible to weeds while the plants become established.

How do you multiply pachysandra?

1:006:56How to propagate Pachysandra - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipResults than cuttings because the stems already possess a mature root system the ideal time to takeMoreResults than cuttings because the stems already possess a mature root system the ideal time to take cuttings is late spring when the new growth has hardened off a bit and the stems and leaves are more

What kind of fertilizer should I use on pachysandra?

Fertilizing: We recommend you fertilize all your shrubs, evergreens, trees, groundcover, and perennials once every 3 weeks. This should be done during the months of April, May, June, July, and August. We suggest you use Miracle-Gro, a water-soluble fertilizer, or Milorganite, a granular fertilizer.

What kind of fertilizer does pachysandra need?

When established, Pachysandra aren't heavy feeders but young plants will appreciate an annual feeding in early spring with a slow-release shrub & tree type fertilizer or an organic plant food. Because Pachysandra likes an acid soil, choose a fertilizer that contains iron and/or sulfur for deep greening.

How do you rejuvenate pachysandra?

Fertilize your pachysandra beds annually with a balanced, granular fertilizer. Not only will this help promote good color, but it will help thinner areas to fill in. Plus, plants with nutrient deficiencies often are more susceptible to disease.

How to plant pachysandra cuttings?

If planting under trees, use a sharp hoe to grub out tree surface roots, add pachysandra cuttings and cover with fresh potting soil. Alternately you could lay 3 inches of soil over tree roots and plant the pachysandra into that. If planting a slope, work from top to bottom.

What is the best groundcover for shade?

How to Grow Pachysandra. Meet one of the best groundcovers for shade that delivers evergreen color year round. Common pachysandra or Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) is an evergreen groundcover that spreads by underground stems to form a lush green carpet. For shady spots where grass won’t grow, count on Japanese pachysandra ...

What plants have variegated leaves?

Variegated pachysandra looks great paired with other solid leaf plants, such as Lenten rose, hydrangea, rhododendron or hosta.

What plants are used in pachysandra?

Or let pachysandra fill the coarse texture role by skirting it with lacy-leaf plants, like ferns, variegated snow-in-summer or sweet woodruff. ‘Silver Edge’ pachysandra or Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis ‘Silver Edge’) features green leaves edged in white.

What is a Japanese spurge?

Common pachysandra or Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) is an evergreen groundcover that spreads by underground stems to form a lush green carpet. For shady spots where grass won’t grow, count on Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) to provide the green carpet you crave. This perennial evergreen thrives in deep or light shade.

What type of soil does Pachysandra need?

Work decayed manure, leaves, compost or other locally available material into beds prior to planting. Pachysandra needs slightly acidic soil (5.5 to 6.5 pH), so do a soil test and prepare soil accordingly. Bare Root Pachysandra.

How to keep pachysandra plants healthy?

Also, consider adding a light (half-inch) layer of peat moss or composted oak leaves (both of which are acidic) in early spring or fall to help keep the soil rich in organic matter. In autumn, blow fallen leaves out of your pachysandra patch.

What is a Japanese spurge?

Plant Type. Plant taxonomy classifies Japanese pachysandra, also called "Japanese spurge," as Pachysandra terminalis and as belonging to the boxwood family. These widely grown plants are evergreen perennials.

What are spurge plants?

But there are many plants with the common name of "spurge" that are not related to Japanese pachysandra, especially plants in the Euphorbia genus that are useful in rock gardens. Euphorbia is also the name of a whole family of plants, commonly known as the "spurge" family. Examples include the following: 1 Purple wood spurge ( Euphorbia amygdaloides, 'Purpurea') 2 Ascot Rainbow spurge ( Euphorbia, 'Ascot Rainbow') 3 Cushion spurge ( Euphorbia polychroma)

What is a drought tolerant ground cover?

As drought-tolerant ground covers, once mature, you do not have to worry much about watering established plants. And as plants that tolerate full shade and clayey soil, they give you a ground-cover choice for areas where many plants would fail. Dry shade provides one of the most challenging conditions for plants since it requires toleration on two fronts, and Japanese pachysandra is one of the plants up to this challenge.

How tall is a Japanese pachysandra?

Wider (12 inches) than it is tall (6 inches), this ground cover produces white flowers in spring but is grown primarily for its leathery, dark-green leaves. Japanese pachysandra has an American relative called 'Allegheny spurge' ( Pachysandra procumbens ), a plant native to the Southeast.

What is pest tolerance?

Its "tolerance" allows it to solve four prominent landscaping problems : As pest-tolerant plants, they supply a fall-back option in cases where homeowners seem foiled by wildlife at every turn in their attempts to landscape their properties.

What zone is a sage plant in?

This foliage plant is best grown in partial to full shade, in an acidic soil enriched with compost , in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8. Give the plant adequate water to get it established. This is a plant tolerant of various challenges. Its "tolerance" allows it to solve four prominent landscaping problems : Pests.

What is the name of the plant that is not related to Japanese pachysandra?

But there are many plants with the common name of "spurge" that are not related to Japanese pachysandra, especially plants in the Euphorbia genus that are useful in rock gardens. Euphorbia is also the name of a whole family of plants, commonly known as the "spurge" family. Examples include the following:

What is the best shrub for Asian gardens?

Most Pachysandra Terminalis owners agree that this shrub will look great in most asian/zen gardens of all types.

What zone is Pachysandra Terminalis best for?

With this in mind, the Pachysandra Terminalis will be most used to the heat zones in the 1 – 8 region, as the plant hardiness level falls between 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a and the ideal climate zone is between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.

How big can a pachysandra grow?

The Pachysandra Terminalis can grow up to 3″ – 4″ (7cm – 10cm) in 3″ – 4″ (7cm – 10cm) and 7″ – 8″ (17cm – 20cm) in 7″ – 8″ (17cm – 20cm).

How to keep Pachysandra terminalis?

Light: Keep your Pachysandra Terminalis in an environment where it can receive full to partial shade on a daily basis.

What is a Japanese Spurge?

The Japanese Spurge, otherwise known as the Pachysandra Terminalis is a pretty well known shrub plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world.

What color are Japanese spurge leaves?

The leaves from the Japanese Spurge have a beautiful green color during most of the year.

What type of soil do Japanese Spurge prefer?

As mentioned earlier, the Japanese Spurge prefers to have soil with good drainage, moist, and occasionally dry properties at all times, reason why you need to make the soil mix out of clay, loam, chalk, and sand.

What is a pachysandra?

Ron Finley Teaches Gardening. Pachysandras are easily-grown plants known for their mass of green leaves that provide thick ground cover.

How tall do Japanese spurge plants grow?

These plants can grow eight to 12 inches tall. P. terminalis is a more rigid and upright version of the spurge plants. Green carpet (Pachysandra terminalis): Green carpet is a shorter, more compact version of Japanese spurge, usually growing to a maximum height of about eight inches. Silver edge (Pachysandra terminalis): Silver edge is another ...

What is Volutella blight?

Volutella blight, also known as leaf blight, compromises the foliage and stems of your pachysandra plants. You can apply a fungicide to the plants in order to treat the blight disease. Pachysandra is also susceptible to scale, which are aphid-like bugs that can be eliminated with insecticidal soap.

What are the different types of pachysandra?

4 Pachysandra Varieties. Japanese and Allegheny pachysandra are the two main types of pachysandra, but there are a few different cultivars that fall into those categories. Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis): Japanese pachysandra is an herbaceous perennial with glossy, dark green leaves.

Where do pachysandras come from?

There are two main types of pachysandra: Japanese pachysandra, and Allegheny pachysandra. Japanese pachysandra originates in China and Japan and is considered more invasive, while Allegheny pachysandra is native to the United States and is easy to control.

Is Pachysandra a perennial?

Pachysandra is short, shrubby vegetation belonging to the boxwood family (buxaceae) that is most commonly used as a ground-covering plant in shady areas. It has deep green leaves and can grow small white flowers in the springtime. These drought-tolerant plants grow up to one foot tall and two feet wide. They are mostly evergreen perennials, though ...

Can you use pachysandra for a garden?

Pachysandra plants can make useful additions to your garden or yard. Here are some of their common uses. Deer-resistant ground cover: Pachysandra is most commonly used as an effective, pest-resistant ground cover. For this same reason, you also typically don’t find many ticks in pachysandra.

How big are Japanese pachysandra leaves?

The lustrous green leaves of Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) are 2 to 4 inches long and 1- to 1½ inches wide and clustered in whorls at the tips of its stems. The mottled leaves of Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens) are 2- to 4-inches long, 2- to 3 inches wide, and coarsely toothed at the tips.

Why are my Japanese pachysandra leaves turning brown?

Japanese pachysandra is more prone to infection by Volutella stem and leaf blight ( Volutella pachysandricola) than Allegheny spurge. This fungal disease produces tan or brown blotches on the leaves and stem cankers, water-soaked areas on the stems that turn brown, shrivel, and die. Volutella stem and leaf blight outbreaks are often due to stresses that include planting in full sun, infestations of scale insects, and winter injury. To reduce its susceptibility to this disease, plant Japanese pachysandra in the right location with suitable growing conditions and remove and discard any damaged or diseased plants.

What are the flowers on Allegheny spurge?

Allegheny spurge has a similar bloom period, but it produces one to five pinkish-colored bottlebrush spikes of fragrant flowers that arise from a petiole or leaf stalk near the base of its prostrate-growing stems. When the flower stalks are not hidden by foliage, they produce a striking two- to four-inch long bottlebrush spike of white to pinkish-white flowers. The male flowers are at the top and the female flowers, if any, are at the base of the stalk. As the flowers fade, old, mature leaves also decline and wither. New, medium-green to grayish-green leaves emerge and during the season, develop attractive light-green or gray-green blotches. In the fall and winter, the leaves turn bronze-brown, but some may develop shades of light red or purple.

What is the Japanese spurge affected by?

Japanese spurge may also be affected by euonymus scale insects, spider mites, root-knot nematodes, and voles.

What is the name of the plant that produces flowers at the ends of its stems?

Japanese pachysandra ( Pachysandra terminalis) produces flower stalks at the ends of its stems which are comprised of male flowers above and female below.

Where are Allegheny spurge native to?

It is native to fertile, well-drained, moist wooded areas in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, south to Florida, and west to Louisiana (USDA Cold Hardiness zones 5b to 9a).

How big are the leaves of Allegheny spurge?

The mottled leaves of Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens) are 2- to 4-inches long, 2- to 3 inches wide, and coarsely toothed at the tips. Although less popular than Japanese pachysandra, Allegheny spurge demands wider availability for its attractiveness and support of pollinators. R. F. Polomski, ©2021, Clemson University.

How to dig up a pachysandra?

Using a sharp spade to dig up each pachysandra transplant is the best practice, cutting around a clump of stems and scooping under the clump with the spade to dislodge roots before lifting the clump. Pachysandra spreads by underground stems, or rhizomes, that develop roots as they grow.

How tall is a Japanese pachysandra?

Few ground covers can match Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) for toughness and versatility. A shrubby evergreen that's about 8 inches tall, it grows as a dense, green carpet that spreads to cover areas in partial or total shade. It's a vigorous grower.

Can you transplant a pachysandra in the fall?

Don't transplant pachysandra in fall, because new growth that develops shortly after the move could be injured by winter's cold. If it's fall when you decide to start a new pachysandra planting, spend some time preparing the new site, and delay the move until the following spring. Advertisement.

When did Joanne Marie start writing?

Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.

Who is Joanne Marie?

She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.

Plant Type

Traits of "Spurge" Plants

Sun and Soil Needs, Planting Zones

• This foliage plant is best grown in partial to full shade, in an acidic soil enriched with compost, in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8. Give the plant adequate water to get it established. This is a plant tolerant of various challenges. Its "tolerance" allows it to solve four prominent landscaping problems: 1. Pests 2. Drought 3. Shade 4. Clay-he...

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Care and Uses in Landscaping