Japanese Spurge Plants

Japanese Spurge Plants, Pachysandra terminalis

Pachysandra terminalis is a spreading, evergreen perennial grown for its dense, glossy, dark green leaves. It is valuable as an attractive, weed-suppressing, ground cover plant for areas of dry shade. 

This easy, low maintenance plant is a popular choice for carpeting the ground beneath trees and shrubs. It is also well-suited to city gardens, being able to tolerate urban pollution well. Its rhizomatous, spreading habit and quick rate of growth can be useful for erosion control on slopes and banks. 

As well as a dense mat of foliage, Pachysandra terminalis produces short spikes of pretty, white flowers from late spring to early summer. Along with Gallium odoratum, brunnera, and vinca, pachysandra is considered something of a ‘secret weapon’ plant by many designers and gardeners, owing to its ability to thrive in difficult conditions. A winning combination of a reliable performance with a strong aesthetic makes this everything you could want from a groundcover plant. 

The dense, evergreen foliage of Pachysandra terminalis is useful in providing a microhabitat for wildlife, and its flowers are a source of nectar for a range of pollinators. 

Browse our other garden shrubs.

Features

• Small white flowers
• Evergreen ground cover
• Spreading to 25cm x 150cm
• Partial or full shade
• Hardy

Growing Pachysandra

Any well-drained soil in full or partial shade. Full sun will be tolerated as long as the soil remains moist, though the leaves may yellow.

Pachysandra are generally pest free, and easy to grow and care for.  You might occasionally need to tackle pests such as slugs and snails, but good gardening practices, such as appropriate weeding and feeding, together with our range of organic garden products, will help keep your perennials looking at their most healthy and beautiful. 

In Your Garden Design

A verdant swathe of Pachysandra terminalis can be used both as ground-level interest amongst trees and shrubs, or as a front-of-border foil to other dry shade perennials. We love seeing it merge with evergreen ferns, bergenia, cyclamen, ivy and sarcococca, transforming a former problem-area into a lush, green sea of foliage.

Did You Know?

Pachysandra belongs to Buxaceae, a small family of flowering shrubs and trees also known as the box family. Other members include sarcococca (sweet box) and buxus (box). Pachysandra terminalis inhabits something of a grey area between being a perennial and a subshrub, and can be found referred to as both. It originates from areas of woodland throughout China and Japan.