Summary
Allegheny pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens) is an attractive groundcover with mottled, semi-evergreen to evergreen foliage and fragrant white bottlebrush-shaped flowers that bloom in early to mid spring. It spreads slowly to form a dense carpet 8-10” tall. Allegheny pachysandra performs well in average to medium soils in partial to full shade. Once established, it can tolerate drought. This versatile plant is a suitable substitution for Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) and English ivy (Hedera helix) in foundation plantings. Companion plants include Jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium reptans), golden ragwort (Packera aurea), white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata), and Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). Zones 5-9.
The ‘Forest Green’ cultivar (Photo 4) was selected for its more smoothly undulating leaf surface as well as larger and more uniform leaf whorls. It was originally obtained from the teaching garden at Pennsylvania State University in 1952. It was observed and evaluated extensively and determined to be superior in terms of overall ornamental quality compared to the other five clones with which it was evaluated. Mt. Cuba Center introduced it in 1992.
The cultivar ‘Silver Streak’ (Photo 5) was selected for its unique coloring from a mass of Pachysandra procumbens of unknown origin. In spring, the new foliage emerges dark green and remains so until early autumn when the silver markings begin to appear. Unlike many forms of Allegheny pachysandra that become bronze brown in the winter, the foliage of Silver Streak Allegheny pachysandra retains its prominent silver coloration. Mt. Cuba Center introduced it in 2009.
More Details
- Plant Type
perennial - Sun/Shade Conditions
partial-to-full-shade - Foliage Character
evergreen, semi-evergreen - Soil Moisture
medium - Flowering Period
early-to-mid-spring - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
white - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
green - Other Common Names
Alleghany spurge, Mountain pachysandra - Fruit/Seed Color
not-showy
Additional Information
Missouri Botanical Garden, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox