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Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge)

Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) decumbent stems in February
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) mottled leaves
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) flower spikes and stems in March
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) emerging leaves
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) flowers
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) en masse at North Carolina Arboretum
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) ground cover In July. Alternate, ovate leaves are held in a whorled cluster at the tip of decumbent stems.
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) leaves in September

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Pachysandra procumbens Allegheny Spurge Why plant English Ivy, Vinca, or Liriope when you can enjoy this southern,* semi-evergreen gem? Fragrant, white flower spikes, which appear in early spring, later become camouflaged by a new flush of gorgeous, crisp green foliage. Leaves have a scalloped margin and take on an attractive mottling. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Ground Cover Spring Flowers, Foliage in July and January Height: 6–10 inches Spread: 1–2 feet Bloom Color: White, Pink Characteristics Clumping, decumbent, semi-evergreen perennial Alternate, whorled, ovate, blue-green to mottled (with silver or purple) foliage, scalloped toward apex, untoothed at the base; winter foliage remains green in warmest zones, but may brown or undergo loss in colder zones; in Zone 7 it may become sparse or ragged; old foliage is replaced in spring Fragrant white to pinkish flower spikes in early spring rarely followed by small, dry fruit capsules Spreads slowly by rhizomes to form colonies Attributes Tolerates dense shade, heat, and drought; no serious pests or diseases (less susceptible to leaf blight than P. terminalis); deer rarely damage Will not overgrow an area like invasive P. terminalis Attracts bees and predatory insects Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Organic, acidic, well-drained Water Requirements: Moist Excellent Replacement for Arum italicum - Italian Arum Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Hedera helix - English Ivy Liriope spicata - Creeping Liriope In order to establish a ground cover, place starter plants 6–12 inches apart Use under trees, near foundations, or along walkways where lawn growth is poor or en masse in woodland gardens Pachysandra terminalis - Japanese Pachysandra Vinca minor - Periwinkle * Native to the South, it is concentrated in the Allegheny Mountains of KY and TN. In the Mid-Atlantic Region it has been reported only in Delaware, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties of PA where it may have been introduced. Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a–9b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free, Quarry Shade Garden and by Elaine Mills (bottom right), private garden, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge)

Why plant English Ivy, Vinca, or Liriope when you can enjoy this southern,* semi-evergreen gem? Fragrant, white flower spikes, which appear in early spring, later become camouflaged by a new flush of gorgeous, crisp green foliage. Leaves have a scalloped margin and take on an attractive mottling.

* Native to the South, it is concentrated in the Allegheny Mountains of KY and TN. In the Mid-Atlantic Region it has been reported only in Delaware, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties of PA where it may have been introduced. It is not native to NoVA.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets