This plant almost mimics a lawn with the way it grows low and spreads nicely.
Pachysandra is a rugged, evergreen perennial with glistening foliage that looks good year-round.
While it’s considered a member of theboxwoodfamily, pachysandra is typically grown as a groundcover.
Credit: Derek Fell
Plantings placed 6 to 12 inches apart take only about three years to establish dense mats of green.
In spring, short spikes of fragrant white flowers top pacysandra.
If you have a sensitive nose, be sure to test them out in bloom before purchasing the plants.
Credit: Derek Fell
Where to Plant Pachysandra
Pachysandra comes in two primary forms.
Regardless of its origin, pachysandra tends to thrive infull to partial shadeand prefers rich, well-drained soils.
Pachysandra may be your solution if you struggle with bare patches under trees and shrubs.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
If possible, choose an overcast day to lessen the threat of harsh sunlight while the plants get established.
Place additional plants 8 to 12 inches apart in even rows to ensure even growth as the plants connect.
It spreads with rhizomes and willcover bare groundwhen left to do its thing.
Credit: W. Garrett Scholes
Although vigorous, the plant rarely ventures past garden boundaries and into lawns.
Light
Pachysandra thrives in full to partial shade.
If you wish, use sharp pruning shears to cut the plants back by half.
Credit: Celia Pearson
Just be sure that yourmower blades are sharp.
Pests and Problems
One of the most common problems for pachysandra isleaf blight.
In severe cases, fungicides may be needed or, ultimately, the removal of contaminated plants.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
While this will generally not kill your pachysandra, it can weaken them.
Another pest you may find on your pachysandra is the euonymus scale.
This narrow, white, or gray insect covers the leaves.
Because of the hard waxy covering, scale pests are extremely hard to control.
Manual removal and an insecticidal drench may be necessary in large infestations.
It is hardy in zones 4-8 and is considered invasive in some mid-Atlantic states.
The familiar spikes of white flowers bloom in spring.
The variegated forms are less aggressive than the species, but it’s still discouraged in some states.
It is hardy in zones 4-8.
Allegheny Pachysandra
Pachysandra procumbens(a.k.a.
It is not considered invasive and grows easily in zones 5 through 9.
Collectors covet the hundreds of different primroses, especially some tiny rare alpine types.
Their basal rosettes of oval leaves are often puckered or smooth.
The colorful flowers emerge singly, in tiered clusters or even spikes.
For best results, provide humus-high soil that retains moisture and some shade.
They’re excellent in damp soils and look especially at home beside ponds and streams.
They may colonize large areas.
Its mounding clumps of arching leaves gradually increase in size, never becoming invasive.
Variegated cultivars are particularly attractive.
All thrive in moisture-retaining, humus-rich soil and even tolerate dry conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pachysandra can tolerate some daily sunlightespecially if it is gentle, early morning sun.
To transplant your pachysandra, treat it the same way you would if you were dividing it.
In the spring, wet the soil at least 24 hours before you plan to move your plant.
Dig it up and replant it in a new spot at the same depth it was planted before.
Pachysandra is a non-climbing groundcover plant that spreads via underground rhizomes and stolons.
Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania Japanese pachysandra.
