Do you have a heavily shaded area in your yard where turf grass simply refuses to grow? If you want a gorgeous, low-effort landscape solution that chokes out weeds and stays green all year round, Pachysandra is your answer.
Commonly known as Japanese Spurge, this evergreen ground cover spreads via underground stems (rhizomes) to form an impenetrable, beautiful carpet. However, planting it incorrectly can lead to devastating fungal diseases. Here is the contractor-approved guide to choosing, planting, and caring for Pachysandra.
The Top 3 Pachysandra Varieties
Not all Pachysandra is the same. Depending on your climate and aesthetic preferences, choose the right variety for your yard.
How to Plant Pachysandra (The Right Way)
Pachysandra is incredibly resilient, but it has two major enemies: direct afternoon sun and poor air circulation.
- Location: Pachysandra must be planted in full to partial shade (USDA Zones 4-8). If exposed to harsh afternoon sun, the leaves will scorch, turn yellow, and eventually die. It is the perfect underplanting for large shade trees.
- Soil Preparation: It prefers slightly acidic, rich, well-draining soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5). If you have heavy clay, you must amend the bed with compost or leaf mold to prevent root rot.
- The Spacing Rule: Do not plant them too close together! Plant individual cuttings or small nursery pots 8 to 12 inches apart. While planting them 4 inches apart creates an instant carpet, the lack of airflow practically guarantees a devastating fungal infection down the line.
Pachysandra Care & Maintenance
Once established, this ground cover is practically indestructible and highly drought-tolerant. During its first year, water it deeply once a week to help the rhizomes spread.
To keep the foliage vibrant, apply a balanced, organic slow-release fertilizer early in the spring before new growth appears. You can also run a lawnmower (set on the highest setting) over the bed in early spring to sheer the tops; this encourages incredibly thick, bushy growth.
The Biggest Threat: Volutella Blight
If you notice large, irregular brown or tan spots on the leaves, and the stems begin to shrivel and die back in large patches, your bed is infected with Volutella Blight (Volutella pachysandrae).
This is a highly aggressive fungal disease that thrives in wet, overcrowded beds with poor air circulation. If you spot it, you must act immediately:
- Do not water the bed from above (keep the leaves dry).
- Physically remove and destroy all infected plants and fallen debris. Do not compost them!
- Thin out the healthy plants to improve airflow.
- Apply a high-quality copper-based fungicide to the remaining healthy plants to stop the spread.
Conclusion: A Beautiful Solution for Shady Spots
Pachysandra offers much more than just practical benefits; it transforms barren, shady spaces into tranquil, lush havens. Whether you choose the vibrant green of Japanese Pachysandra or the delicate look of ‘Silver Edge’, this ground cover will add year-round visual interest to your landscape with minimal effort. With proper spacing and basic care, it is an investment that will beautify your yard for decades.
