Pachysandra

The genus Pachysandra includes 4 species of evergreen and semi-evergreen (depending on temperature and humidity) rhizomatous shrubs and perennial herbaceous plants. They grow to a height of 30-45 cm; they have fleshy creeping or straight stems, leaves in most cases with a serrated edge. Inflorescences - erect ears with same-sex flowers; male are located in the upper part of the ear, female-in the lower part. Fruits are seed pods or drupes (fleshy fruits with lignified seeds) with dark seeds. Pachysandra is one of the most common and effective groundcover plants, especially in shaded areas where other species do not grow. It quickly closes the area assigned to it, and has excellent resistance to various environmental pollution conditions. Most often, the evergreen species of Pachysandra terminalis is used. Its dark green glossy leaves are oblong to oval in shape, with toothed leaf plates in the upper part. The flowers are white and bloom in late spring. The fruits are white drupes of ovate or spherical shape. There are many varieties, such as 'Variegated', slow-growing, with white-patterned leaves. Pachysandra axillaris (P. axillaris) is an evergreen semi-shrub species with short stems and white young shoots. The leaves are ovate, leathery, dark green, with a large toothed edge. White inflorescences are formed in spring. Pachysandra procumbens is a semi-evergreen species with brown-green leaves with greenish-brown spots of rounded shape, toothed in the upper part; they grow on pinkish-brown stems. Fragrant white flowers.

The genus Pachysandra includes 4 species of evergreen and semi-evergreen (depending on temperature and humidity) rhizomatous shrubs and perennial herbaceous plants. They grow to a height of 30-45 cm; they have fleshy creeping or straight stems, leaves in most cases with a serrated edge. Inflorescences - erect ears with same-sex flowers; male are located in the upper part of the ear, female-in the lower part. Fruits are seed pods or drupes (fleshy fruits with lignified seeds) with dark seeds. Pachysandra is one of the most common and effective groundcover plants, especially in shaded areas where other species do not grow. It quickly closes the area assigned to it, and has excellent resistance to various environmental pollution conditions.

Most often, the evergreen species of Pachysandra terminalis is used. Its dark green glossy leaves are oblong to oval in shape, with toothed leaf plates in the upper part. The flowers are white and bloom in late spring. The fruits are white drupes of ovate or spherical shape. There are many varieties, such as 'Variegated', slow-growing, with white-patterned leaves.

Pachysandra axillaris (P. axillaris) is an evergreen semi-shrub species with short stems and white young shoots. The leaves are ovate, leathery, dark green, with a large toothed edge. White inflorescences are formed in spring.

Pachysandra procumbens is a semi-evergreen species with brown-green leaves with greenish-brown spots of rounded shape, toothed in the upper part; they grow on pinkish-brown stems. Fragrant white flowers.

Cultivation

Pachysandra is grown in the open ground as a groundcover plant or in boxes and flower boxes on balconies and terraces. Plants are finally planted in the ground in the spring, the planting density is 15-25 plants per 1/m2. They prefer fertile and well-drained soil. When planting, organic fertilizers are applied at the rate of 5-7 kg/m2. The soil for growing in boxes should consist of 2/3 of the fertile land and 1/3 of the dry land. from peat with the addition of 20-30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 20-30 g per bucket. Transplanting into a new pot is not practiced, only the surface layer of soil is replaced. Pruning is usually not necessary, but if the plants cover a large area, it can be "shortened" in late winter.

Pachysandra is grown in the open ground as a groundcover plant or in boxes and flower boxes on balconies and terraces. Plants are finally planted in the ground in the spring, the planting density is 15-25 plants per 1/m2. They prefer fertile and well-drained soil. When planting, organic fertilizers are applied at the rate of 5-7 kg/m2. The soil for growing in boxes should consist of 2/3 of the fertile land and 1/3 of the dry land. from peat with the addition of 20-30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 20-30 g per bucket. Transplanting into a new pot is not practiced, only the surface layer of soil is replaced. Pruning is usually not necessary, but if the plants cover a large area, it can be "shortened" in late winter.

Location

It is an ideal plant for shade and partial shade.

Temperature

It is a resistant crop to both high and low air temperatures, although sometimes frosts and high humidity damage the leaves.

Watering

Plants of the genus Pachysandra are usually not watered. Watering is required only during a prolonged drought, but in any case, do not allow stagnation of water. Plants in boxes and flower boxes are watered regularly.

Reproduction

Plants of the genus Pachysandra are extremely easy to propagate in the spring by dividing the bush or cuttings. Apical pachysandra is propagated by rhizomatous processes. The resulting parts are planted directly in the open air.

Diseases

Plants of the Pachysandra genus are susceptible to fungal diseases (leaf spotting, rust, etc.), infection of which rarely requires intervention (treatment with fungicides). Growing in waterlogged or heavy soil causes root rot. It can only be prevented by adjusting watering and choosing the right soil for planting, otherwise it is necessary to remove the affected parts. Infestation with worms often harms this crop. Given the low cost of the plant, it is easier to remove the whole plant than to treat it with insecticides.

Acquisition

Seedlings of pachysandra plants in pots and multi-seat cassettes are extremely easy to find in spring in specialized nurseries and gardening centers.