(Spurge)

Most familiar to gardeners in the form of Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis), these attractive and serviceable dwarf shrubs are among the best groundcovers for shady areas of temperate gardens. They are grown primarily for their handsome whorled, toothed, evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves, which provide a dense low cover. Short spikes of frothy white flowers lend additional interest in spring. Japanese spurge is a large-scale and widely used groundcover with glossy evergreen leaves...

(Alleghany Spurge)

The American native, Alleghany spurge, is less known than its common relative, Japanese spurge, but is just as attractive and landscape-worthy. Unlike Japanese spurge, its leaves are semi-evergreen to deciduous. Populations naturally reside in the fertile upland forests of the eastern and southeastern United States where soils tend to be calcareous.

This serviceable, spreading perennial is a fine deciduous groundcover for shady, temperate gardens. It is most admired for its handsome whorled,...

(Pachysandra)

This trailing shrub from China and Japan is one of the best and most widely used evergreen groundcovers for shaded sites. Glossy dark green oval leaves cluster in large whorls at the end of prostrate stems, forming a dense mat of foliage. Plants spread by far-reaching underground runners to eventually cover large areas. Short frothy spikes of small flowers adorn the stem tips in late spring. Several cultivars have been selected for leaf color and habit.

Pachysandra likes partial to full shade...

(Japanese Spurge)

One of the best and most widely used evergreen groundcovers for shaded sites, Japanese spurge is a trailing shrub from China and Japan. The cultivar 'Green Carpet' is prized for its especially dark glossy-green foliage and low ground-hugging habit. The handsome leaves cluster in large whorls at the end of prostrate stems, forming a dense mat of foliage. Plants spread by far-reaching underground runners to eventually cover large areas. Short frothy spikes of small flowers adorn the stem tips in late...

(Japanese Spurge, Silver Edge Japanese Spurge)

One of the best and most widely used evergreen groundcovers for shaded sites, Japanese spurge is a trailing shrub from China and Japan. The leaves of the cultivar 'Silver Edge' are rimmed with creamy-white. The handsome leaves cluster in large whorls at the end of prostrate stems, forming a dense mat of foliage. Plants spread by underground runners which are less wide-ranging than those of plain-leaved forms. Short frothy spikes of small flowers adorn the stem tips in late spring.

Pachysandra...

(Japanese Spurge, Variegated Japanese Spurge)

One of the best and most widely used evergreen groundcovers for shaded sites, Japanese spurge is a trailing shrub from China and Japan. The leaves of the cultivar 'Variegata' are rimmed with creamy-white. The handsome leaves cluster in large whorls at the end of prostrate stems, forming a dense mat of foliage. Plants spread by underground runners which are less wide-ranging than those of plain-leaved forms. Short frothy spikes of small flowers adorn the stem tips in late spring.

Pachysandra likes...