Click for previous Image Image 1 of 4 Pachysandra procumbens Allegheny Spurge

Pachysandra procumbens 'Forest Green'

Allegheny Spurge

Plant Type:

SHADE PERENNIALS

Pachysandra procumbens ‘Forest Green’ – is a selected Allegany Spurge with leaf whorls larger than the species. 'Forest Green' forms a more uniform ground cover with exhibiting both less spotting and undulation providing for a cleaner more uniform presentation. Originally espied at the Dept. of Horticulture at Penn. State University in 1952 Richard Lighty propagated it, sharing it with nurseries and friends. Allegheny Spurge is a wonderful specie with April pinkish-white bottle brush flowers at the soil surface followed by handsome fingered leaves in matte green. Autumn brings kaleidoscopic silver and brown leaf mottling especially in sun in the north. The foliage is virtually evergreen on this clumping perennial with slow increase. Plant in fertile draining soil sited in open shade to nearly full sun, more shade in the south. Bare root.


For a more in depth discussion of Allegany Spurge please see in the HERALD section of the website under Plant Portraits Pachysandra procumbens


 


Height:

6-10 in

Colors:

White

Zone:

(4b)5 to 9
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Pachysandra procumbens 'Forest Green'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Early Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Four Seasons

Autumn Interest

  • Autumn Leaf Color

Nature Attraction

  • Honey Bees & Native Bees
  • Deer Resistant

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Shade Tolerant
  • Mostly Sunny

Attributes

  • Rock Garden
  • Ground Cover
  • Natural Garden
  • Massing
  • Border
  • Specimen
  • Woodland
  • Edging
  • Foundation
  • Evergreen

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Slow

Soil

  • Draining
  • Fertile

Origins

  • Southeastern U.S.

Propagated By

  • Division

Genus Overview: Pachysandra procumbens

Common Name: Allegheny Spurge

Pachysandra procumbens. So many Asian woodlanders are, frankly, more beautiful than our North American counterparts (yes, aesthetics are subjective and I'm wrong ALL the TIME!) but Allegheny Spurge bucks this trend. We think this easy going woodland candidate which actually tolerates a surprising degree of sunlight is exceptionally beautiful, more so than the overused Pacysandra terminalis. P. procumbens originates in West Virginia, west to Louisiana, east and south to Florida but is bone-hardy for most of us in New England, into USDA Zone 4b (-15F). Pacysandra procumbens will make an exceptional ground cover albeit slowly in fertile, evenly moist soil but is tolerant of dryer soils. We thank Richard Lighty, Jeanne Frett from Mt. Cuba Center and our favorite plant wizard, Jon Lehrer for helping us to offer 'Forest Green', 'Spring Gold' and 'Silver Streak'.