Pachysandra Japanese Spurge

Pachysandra terminalis (Buxaceae) is a low, spreading evergreen groundcover native to Asia. It grows about 1 foot tall, forming dense mats via rhizomes. Whorled, dark green leaves are coarsely toothed near the tips. Short spikes of fragrant white flowers appear in spring.

Japanese spurge thrives in part shade to full shade on moist, well-drained soil. It is one of the most widely used shade groundcovers, filling in steadily to exclude weeds. Documented problems include box blight and leaf and stem blight. Hardy in Zones 4a to 8b.