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Pachysandra procumbens
Allegheny spurge
- » Less invasive but still possesses groundcover qualities
- » Evergreen or semi-evergreen
- » Native
- » Sizable colonies of stems with deep green 2-4" long leaves
- » 2" tall spike of small white fragrant flowers in early April
- » Attracts landscape critters with the shade it provides
- Category:Broad-leaf Evergreen
- Breeder:American Beauties Native Plants
- Hardiness Zone:4-8
- Bloom Color: Green Shades
Many confuse Pachysandra procumbens for a perennial, but it belongs to the Boxwood family and offers distinct advantages over its more invasive Asian cousin, Pachysandra terminalis. This evergreen plant thrives in Zone 6 and is semi-evergreen in colder areas. It forms colonies of stems topped with deep green, slightly mottled leaves and produces fragrant white flowers in early April. As fall approaches, the foliage takes on a bluish cast and the mottling becomes more pronounced, enhancing its landscape appeal. A shade lover, it’s perfect for massing in wooded areas, providing low cover that benefits garden critters.
Foliage Color
| • | Dark Green |
Maintenance and Care
| • | Low Maintenance |
Flower Color
| • | White |
Programs
| • | American Beauties Native Plants® |
Season of Interest (Flowering)
| • | Spring |
Exposure
| • | Partial Shade |
Habit
| • | Ground Cover |
Soil Moisture
| • | Moist, Well-Drained |
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Pachysandra procumbens
Plant in acidic, organically rich, well-drained soil in part to full shade. This perennial thrives under large trees and prefers medium moisture, tolerating drought once established. Avoid full sun, as it can bleach the foliage. For ground cover, space starter plants 6-12 inches apart; they will spread by rhizomes. Water moderately and thin plants occasionally for good air circulation, especially to prevent leaf blight.