Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Carpet')
Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Carpet' is a tough, low-mounding evergreen ground cover perfect for deep shade.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ is highly valued by landscape designers for creating dense, enduring carpets of rich, dark green foliage in challenging shady areas. This specific cultivar, known as Japanese pachysandra, offers a slightly more compact habit than standard varieties, reaching only 6 to 8 inches tall with shinier leaves. As a rhizomatous perennial, Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ spreads reliably to cover ground, making it an exceptional choice for erosion control or filling the voids beneath large, established trees where few other plants thrive.
This evergreen stalwart provides year-round structure and color, softening hard lines in the landscape. While it produces tiny white flowers in spring, its primary aesthetic appeal lies in its consistent, weed-suppressing ground cover effect. Gardeners rely on Japanese pachysandra for consistent performance with low effort once established.
The ‘Green Carpet’ selection is particularly prized for its darker coloring and dense mat formation, ensuring that even shaded foundation plantings remain attractive throughout the year. It handles typical woodland conditions with grace and minimal intervention.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Buxaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: April
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The ideal planting time for Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ is typically spring or early fall, allowing the rhizomes time to establish before extreme temperatures hit. Select a location that receives part shade to full shade; too much direct sun will cause the foliage to bleach, diminishing the rich green color. This ground cover thrives in organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soils.
Once planted, provide medium water until the patch becomes well-established. Avoid overhead watering, as consistently wet foliage can encourage fungal issues like leaf blight. For broad coverage, space starter plants about 6 to 12 inches apart, as they will eventually spread via underground rhizomes to form a seamless colony.
Maintenance remains low. Thinning plants periodically helps promote better air circulation around the crowns, which is crucial for preventing damp-weather diseases. No regular fertilization is usually necessary if the soil is organically sound. This evergreen ground cover requires no special winter protection in its recommended hardiness zones.
Landscape Uses
The use of Japanese pachysandra is nearly synonymous with low-maintenance, shade gardening. Its vigorous, spreading habit makes it an extremely popular choice for mass plantings on banks or slopes where erosion control is needed. It excels as a foundational planting, neatly bordering homes or walkways where grass struggles due to lack of light.
Consider using Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ beneath mature deciduous trees where summer shade is heavy but winter sun can warm the soil. It pairs beautifully with spring-blooming bulbs, planting them beneath the patch so the bulbs can emerge and fade before the pachysandra fully shrouds the emerging foliage. Where deep, uniform coverage is required, massing this variety creates a sophisticated, dark green texture that complements both stone hardscaping and woodland companions.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pachysandra terminalis, commonly called Japanese pachysandra, is a shrubby, evergreen ground cover which spreads by rhizomes to form a dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage. The ‘Green Carpet’ cultivar is notable for being more compact (growing to 6-8” tall) and featuring darker, shinier leaves compared to the species. Tiny white flowers appear in terminal spikes in early spring, adding subtle detail to the dense mat of growth.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Heavy Shade
- Erosion
- Clay Soil
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
While generally robust, Japanese pachysandra can occasionally encounter fungal issues, primarily leaf blight, especially in overly dense plantings where air circulation is poor. Root or stem rot may also develop if the soil retains too much moisture. Regularly inspect plants for persistent pests such as scale insects or spider mites, treating localized infestations promptly. Proactive care, such as ensuring soil drainage and avoiding excessive moisture on the leaves, minimizes the need for remedial fungicide applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Japanese pachysandra suitable for?
Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9, making it a flexible choice for many temperate regions.
How large does Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ grow?
This compact form typically reaches a height between 0.5 and 0.75 feet (6 to 9 inches) and spreads outward to cover an area 1 to 1.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ need?
This plant performs best in part shade to full shade conditions; excessive sun exposure will result in bleached or scorched foliage.
When does Japanese pachysandra bloom?
The plant produces small white flowers, usually appearing in April, carried on short spikes at the tips of the stems.
Conclusion
Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ remains a superb choice for gardeners seeking a reliable, evergreen, low-maintenance solution for deep shade. Its dense, attractive foliage provides structure and density, outperforming many other ground covers in difficult light conditions. Before planting, confirm your site falls within USDA Zones 5-9 and ensure the soil offers good drainage to guarantee the long-term success of your Japanese pachysandra patch.
Companion Planting in Shade Gardens
Since Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ thrives in shade, selecting companions that share similar cultural needs enhances overall design cohesion. Consider pairing the evergreen texture of Japanese pachysandra with plants offering contrasting leaf shapes, such as Hostas with large, blue, or variegated foliage. ferns also act as excellent vertical companions, adding airy height above the low mounds of the pachysandra. For early spring color before the pachysandra fully greens up, early bloomers like snowdrops (Galanthus) or scilla are effective partners.
Propagating Pachysandra Terminalis ‘Green Carpet’
One of the best ways to increase your coverage area is through vegetative propagation, which is straightforward given the plant’s natural spreading habit. The primary method is division, easily achieved in spring or early fall when growth is active. Dig up portions of established clumps, ensuring each section contains several healthy stems and a segment of the root system (rhizome). Replant these divisions immediately into prepared soil at the same depth they were previously growing. This process naturally leads to the expansion of your Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ coverage area over successive seasons.
