terminalis - Japanese Pachysandra or Japanese Spurge () ------Pachysandra terminalis is perhaps the best evergreen Flowers groundcover for moderately- to deeply-shaded sites. -white Japanese Spurge forms dense mats of glossy dark green -late Mar.-early Apr. foliage. -on 1-2" terminal inflorescences; almost insignificant from an ornamental perspective FEATURES Fruits Form -white, terminal fruit rare and inconspicuous -medium-sized, herbaceous perennial evergreen Twigs groundcover -new vertical shoot growth (about 2-4" per yr). occurs -about 10" tall, always used as a groundcover in group in 2 forms: from new basal shoots arising from the or mass plantings, with each slowly spreading via underground stolons, and from vertical extension of the a combination of its basal shoots and leaning top pre-existing but procumbent old stems (these are the 2 growth ways by which each parent plant of the groundcover -procumbent mat growth habit slowly expands in diameter and fills in the planting) -slow growth rate -the light green new shoot growth is herbaceous in the Culture spring, but becomes semi-woody by winter -partial shade to deep shade Trunk -prefers a moist, well-drained, acidic, rich soil in full -not applicable shade, but is tolerant of periodically dry soils as long as they are well-drained, and is tolerant of soils of neutral USAGE to slightly alkaline pH Function -propagated primarily by rooted stem cuttings, but also -evergreen groundcover for northern or northeastern sides by clump division, or harvest of the rooted stolons or of buildings or under dense shade of trees daughter at the clump perimeter Texture - blight, stem cankers, and leaf spots are the -medium texture principal diseases (may vary from cosmetic to serious), -thick density and scales and nematodes are the primary serious pests Assets -commonly available in flats -dense carpet of glossy evergreen foliage as a -plant 6-12" apart (depending upon the size of the groundcover transplant and how quickly you want the groundcover to Liabilities fill in) and mulch lightly at transplanting -slow to establish as a solid mat of foliage -plants will become very chlorotic and will die out in -becomes chlorotic or dies out in partial to full sun patches if improperly sited in full sun or partial sun, or -requires partial to full shade for best performance if sited in periodically wet or poorly drained soils -sometimes has foliar diseases or root nematodes -a typical planting will take about 3 yrs. to fully -retains blown establish a solid carpet of groundcover; in the interim, a Habitat light mulch will retain soil moisture and reduce the -Zones 4 -8 invasion of weeds -Native to Japan -leaves that fall on the groundcover in autumn should be gently raked and blown out to minimize later disease SELECTIONS problems Alternates -prolonged spring or summer rains (or periodic -evergreen groundcovers (Euonymus fortunei var. irrigation) may cause outbreaks of Volutella coloratus, Hedera helix, Vinca minor, etc.) pachysandrae, leading to brown patches of severe leaf -groundcovers for either partial shade or full shade spot, leaf blight, and stem canker conditions (Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum', -dense foliage can also be a severe impediment in trying Hedera helix, Hypericum calycinum, Lamiastrum to eradicate infestations by scale (an insect with a white galeobdolon 'Variegatum', Liriope spicata, Vinca minor, "shell" that attaches to the lower leaf surface and looks Waldsteinia ternata, etc.) like a white "dot"), as it is very difficult to apply sprays Variants to leaf undersides at -Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Carpet' - the most ground level popular ; selected for cold hardiness, compact Foliage habit, and deep waxy green color -medium to dark green -Pachysandra terminalis 'Variegata' ('Silver Edge') - -evergreen mottled with silver, cream, or white variegation around -alternate leaves the leaf margins becoming clustered at apex -obovate -dentate at tip -glabrous and shiny -dark green