Pachysandra terminalis and its cultivars (cultivated varieties) are not the only selections of this fine genus to be had by gardeners. There are three species, and also some cultivars of these offered by temperate-zone specialty nurseries. In addition, horticulturists are working to select and make available more and stronger cultivars. Images on the web site of Esveld Nursery, Boskoop, The Netherlands give us the appearances of many commercially available Pachysandra species and cultivars.
What makes each of the species and their cultivars so distinctive? Why might each be valued and appreciated in unique garden situations? Let's take a look at them.
Pachysandra procumbens (pro-cum' bens), Alleghany Spurge, is the only semi-deciduous species and the only one native to North American woodlands. It thrives in shady spots in the southeast U. S., zones 5-9, and displays its serrated somewhat dull green and silver-mottled leaves on 4-inch-long petioles almost all year.
However, in zone 4 gardens, Alleghany Spurge leaves look tattered and frayed and die as winter approaches. In spring, 9 to 12-inch long brush-like inflorescences present somewhat fragrant pinkish-white flowers hidden near the ground under what remains of leaves.
This is a fine plant to place in shady little corners where soil is high in organic matter. It makes a nice spring surprise. Overall, P. procumbens is less vigorous and does not spread as rapidly as its Japanese cousin P. terminalis. However, once established, it makes a nice soft-looking groundcover. P. procumbens might take some cuddling when planted in the northern limits of its range.
P. procumbens 'Forest Green' is a clone (identical copy) originally obtained from the teaching garden at Pennsylvania State University in 1952 by the Mt. Cuba Center, Inc. near Greenville, DE. The top priorities for the Mt. Cuba Center since 1988 are growing and selecting native American plants with exceptional ornamental attributes and garden adaptability, and then introducing these outstanding native landscape perennials and shrubs to the gardening public.
P. procumbens 'Forest Green' was observed and evaluated extensively for overall ornamental quality and growth throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Results show that its "surface" as a groundcover is more smoothly undulating than that of the five other clones with which it was compared. The leaf whorls of 'Forest Green' are larger and more regular than on most of the others; however, leaf mottling is not as prominent as in several other clones. It performs best in moist, fertile soil and is rarely troubled by pests and diseases. 'Forest Green' was registered as a cultivar in 1992.
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