Is Japanese Spurge Evergreen?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge) is a

shrubby, evergreen ground cover

which spreads via underground runners to form a dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage.

Is Japanese pachysandra evergreen?

A member of the boxwood family, Japanese pachysandra is

an evergreen perennial

. This shrubby plant only reaches about a foot in height with oval serrated leaves, 2-4 inches long. In early spring 1-2 inch white flower spikes will bloom, though not particularly showy.

Is Japanese Spurge invasive?

Pachysandra, also called Japanese spurge, is an evergreen ground cover that looks like a great idea when you plant it–after all, it stays green year-round and spreads quickly to fill an area. … Pachysandra is

an invasive perennial ground cover

that spreads throughout the garden by means of underground stems and roots.

Does pachysandra stay green in winter?

I’m not talking about pachysandra and myrtle, though these two common groundcovers

do stay green throughout the winter

. … This fully evergreen groundcover is very hardy and comes in a broad range of foliage colors and textures.

How do you take care of Japanese Spurge?

For the most part, Japanese Spurge should

do well with natural rainfall

. During extended dry spells, water deeply, occasionally. The plant’s root ball and surrounding soil should be slightly damp. Water less during the winter months when evaporation is slower.

Should I plant Japanese spurge?


Plant pachysandra in the early spring or early enough in the fall

so it has a chance to establish itself before winter sets in (much like planting a tree or perennial flower in the fall).

Can Japanese spurge take full sun?

Sun and Soil Needs, Planting Zones

This foliage plant is best grown in

partial to full shade

, in an acidic soil enriched with compost, in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8. Give the plant adequate water to get it established. This is a plant tolerant of various challenges.

Is Japanese spurge poisonous to dogs?

Toxicity.

Pachysandra contains no toxic substances

and poses no danger for pets and children, according to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Should you cut back pachysandra?

Pachysandra does not require however benefits from an annual pruning in early spring. Tip: It’s optional, but if your Pachysandra plants are leggy

you can cut them back by half their height with pruning shears when you plant them

. This encourages plants to develop fuller and fill in bare spaces more quickly.

Should I plant pachysandra?

Pachysandra is a wonderful foundation planting, as you can plant it right up next to the house, yet it won’t block access to the house like shrubs and trees do. Soil should

be moist and well drained

; Pachysandra prefers acidic soils but can tolerate neutral and slightly alkaline soils.

Does Liriope stay green in winter?

Life of Liriope

Even after seed development, liriope can stay green in mild temperatures, though

it often browns at the tips by the end of winter

. Work with the plant’s life cycle by cutting old plants to the ground in late winter before new shoots develop in early spring.

What is the easiest ground cover to grow?

  • Heuchera. 1/11. An evergreen perennial, heuchera is known for its vibrant foliage, which ranges in color from silver to green to brown. …
  • Honeysuckle. 2/11. …
  • Brass Buttons. 3/11. …
  • Creeping Phlox. 4/11. …
  • Creeping Jenny. 5/11. …
  • Stonecrop. 6/11. …
  • Vinca Minor. 7/11. …
  • Lamium. 8/11.

Does thyme stay green in winter?

Depending on your location, creeping

thyme will either remain evergreen or it will lose its leaves and some stems will die over the winter

. You don’t need to prune it, but to protect it as much as possible you can cover it with sand or gravel over the winter.

Can you transplant Japanese spurge?

Although Japanese pachysandra

can be transplanted any time during its growing season

, it’s best to move the plant in early spring, when it’s poised to put out new growth. It also transplants successfully later in spring and in early summer but when the weather is cool, and not during a dry, hot period.

Can pachysandra tolerate full sun?

Shade-loving plants like pachysandra can usually

tolerate some direct sunlight each day

, as long as the sun exposure is not prolonged. Burned leaves are the result of too much sun. The affected leaves will die sooner than unaffected leaves, but occasional sunscald does not usually kill vigorous plants like pachysandra.

How do you encourage pachysandra to spread?

The plant actually spreads by underground runners, and it is true that

a light shearing or pinching in early spring

can encourage the plants to send up more runners and thus thicken the planting faster. This can be done by hand or in some cases with a lawn mower.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.