Pachysandra terminalis

Pachysandra terminalis

Common name: Japanese pachysandra, Japanese spurge

Family: Buxaceae

Leaf: oval leaves, 2-4" long, appearing primarily in whorls on stem ends, toothed/serrate on upper half of leaf margin, green to dark green

Flowers: tiny white flowers appearing on the stem ends (hence species' 'terminalis' name), on spikes in early spring, not very showy, but attractive

Height: 0.5-1'; Spread: 1-1.5'

Habit: shrubby, evergreen, rhizomatous groundcover; Form: low, mounded

Culture: Best grown in medium moisture, organically rich to average soils in part shade to full shade. Will turn yellow in full shade. Plant 6-12" apart if used a groundcover. Thinning periodically is a good idea to promote air circulation (and to avoid leaf blight)- as this plant spreads forming a dense mat/ large colony. USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Uses: groundcover in a shade or semi-shade area, groundcover under a shallow-rooted tree, on slight slopes

Origin: Japan, China