Japanese Spurge, Japanese pachysandra, Pachysandra
Pachysandra terminalis
Family: Buxaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Variable spread.
Pachysandra terminalis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Moist deciduous woods in valleys and low mountains to 2000 metres.
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy. The ovoid fruits are 5 - 6mm long. The fruit is not usually produced in cultivation - this could be because both male and female plants are required and most people only grow one plant.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
A very useful ground cover plant for a shady position, spreading by means of underground runners. A vigorous grower, but it is not too invasive.It grows well in the shade of shrubs.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Erosion control, Ground cover, Rock garden, Woodland garden. A very tolerant plant, it thrives in any moist well-drained soil. Easily grown in a loose leafy soil succeeding in dry shade and tolerating drought once it is established. Grows well under trees. Dislikes dry soils, full sun and strong winds. Prefers a lime-free soil according to one report whilst another says that it succeeds in acid and alkaline soils. Hardy to about -25°c. Plants are monoecious and rarely if ever produce fruit in cultivation. The flowers have a pleasant sweet fragrance. At least one named form has been selected for its ornamental value. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise sow it in late winter. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse or cold frame. Plant out in early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 4 - 7cm long taken at a node, June - August in a shady position in a frame. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade
Moisture: Dry, moist