Alphabetical Plant Listing

Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge)

Allegheny Spurge, Mountain Spurge, Allegheny Mountain Spurge, American Thick-Stamen


Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge) is a shrubby ground cover which spreads via underground rhizomes to form a dense carpet of blue-green leaves marbled with silver and purple. The leaves are arranged in circular patterns around fleshy, erect stems. The foliage is usually deciduous in USDA Zones 5 and 6 but semi-evergreen to evergreen in Zones 7 to 9. Fragrant white flower spikes, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), appear in early to late spring, often before the new leaves emerge, but the added value of this plant is its attractive foliage. Allegheny Spurge is an excellent ground cover for shady areas. It is considered more attractive than the Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) and less aggressive. This woodland plant performs well in a variety of soils from moist to dry as long as it is growing in partial to full shade.

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). Spreads slowly to form colonies.
  • A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in acidic, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Too much sun yellows the foliage and causes poor growth. Drought tolerant once established. Can be evergreen if protected from cool winds.
  • Perfect for the shade gardens, as a groundcover or underplanting shrubs. Great for banks and slopes, woodland gardens.
  • A hardy, low-maintenance and forgiving perennial, it is considered by many to be very deer resistant.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for leaf blight, aphids, slugs, scale and mites.
  • Propagate by division in late summer or early fall. Softwood cuttings may be taken in spring or early summer.
  • Can be toxic and sometimes fatal to animals if eaten.
  • Native to the southeastern United States.

Not sure which Pachysandra - Spurges to pick?
Compare All Pachysandra - Spurges

Buy Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge)

Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Pachysandra - Spurges
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Indiana, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Buy Plants


By Marcy Witkowski, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Pachysandra - Spurges
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Indiana, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Plant Calculator

How many Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.