Pachysandra is a ground cover with dark glossy green leaves , and white blossoms that appear in spring ( May ) . It has become a popular evergreen groundcover for its thick mat - like growth habit , and also because it grows good in shadowy region of the landscape – place where other plant can not uprise . Before pachysandra is established weeds can be a problem in the groundcover bed . However , once make pachysandra ’s thick flatness hold on weeds down .
Plant Characteristics
Pachysandra terminalis is a member of the Buxaceae or Box family . Other common figure are : Japanese pachysandra , Japanese spurge , or spurge . This herbaceous repeated evergreen plant is intermediate in size , grow from 8 to 10 inches in height , and spreading by basal shoots . It is a dull grower , and it take approximately three year before it forms its impenetrable lustrelessness - alike screening . It is stout in zones 5 to 8 .
Planting and Mulching
Pachysandra should be found from 6 to 12 inch aside . Since pachysandra is slow grow it will take fourth dimension to spread out and enshroud the area that it has been planted in . To keep weeds down you should apply a 2- to 4 - inch layer of mulch to the groundcover bed . Since pachysandra grow well in organically full-bodied well - debilitate grunge wood check would be an excellent choice for the mulch material . The mulch will serve to control weeds , and it will also keep wet in the grime .
When Weeds Appear
When broadleaf weeds seem within the pachysandra bed the only good way to get rid of them is to remove the weeds by hand . Mulch will keep most of the dope out and you will only have a few green goddess . However , if you do not mulch , and you do not weed as presently as the locoweed appear , the weeds will get out of control .
Broadleaf Weed Herbicides
Greg Stack of the University of Illinois Extension Service recommends painting the offending weeds with Roundup to control growth . This will not do damage to the pachysandra if you do it cautiously . It might be secure , however , to take out out the smoke by handwriting .
Mature Pachysandra Bed and Weeds
An established / ripe pachysandra bed is extremely dull , and weeds will not be a problem . Weeds are only a trouble when you are first establishing the ground cover . The plant will develop together and you will no longer need to mulch to keep the weeds down . Fall leaves that find their way into the groundcover seam ( in between plants ) will become natural mulch , decomposing and add constitutional material to the soil .
