Pachysandra procumbens (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist/ well drained
Flowering period: Spring
Eventual Height: 25cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Buxaceae
Pachysandra procumbens is a semi evergreen perennial with a clump forming habit. It has obovate, glossy, blue/ green leaves are ovate with scalloped margins, up to 10cm long and 7cm broad. Its fragrant white flowers are petal-less stamens and appear on spikes which are up to 10cm long. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its slow spread.
Pachysandra procumbens Flower (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Pachysandra procumbens, commonly known as Allegheny, Allegheny spurge or Allegheny Pachysandra, is native to east USA.
The etymological root of the binomial name Pachysandra is derived from the Greek pachys ‘thick’ and aner ‘man’, in reference to the unusually thick stamens. Procumbens is derived from the Latin procumbo meaning ‘lie down’, in reference to its habit.
The landscape architect may find Pachysandra procumbens useful to as an effective evergreen ground cover plant which tolerates shady conditions.
Pachysandra procumbens Leaf (02/02/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Pachysandra procumbens flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Pachysandra procumbens prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers acidic soils. It dislikes dry soils.
Pachysandra procumbens requires little maintenance.
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