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Key characteristics

Family: Buxaceae
Height: 6 to 10 inches
Width: Spreads 12 to 18 inches per plant
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Glossy, deep green
Bloom time: Early to mid-spring
Light: Partial to full shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune as needed to control spread and remove dead leaves
Growing zone: USDAZones 4 to 8
Wildlife: Minimal

Groundcovers

Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Sheen'

Green Sheen Japanese Spurge

Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Sheen' is a versatile evergreen ground cover prized for its glossy, rich green foliage that maintains its vibrancy throughout the year. The leaves have an almost reflective quality, adding texture and brightness to shaded areas. In early spring, small clusters of white flowers appear, tucked among the foliage. Though modest in size, the blooms contribute a delicate charm to the plant's overall appearance.

Light

Partial to full shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Early to mid-spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Woodland Gardens
Borders
Pollinator Gardens
Under Trees

Companion plants

Trilliums · Leucothoes · Epimedium · Autumn ferns · Primroses · Rodgersias

Design tip

Use this evergreen groundcover to create broad carpets beneath trees or along shaded pathways where its glossy foliage provides year-round structure. Layer bold-leaved perennials, evergreen shrubs, and contrasting textures to create a cohesive woodland planting with depth, rhythm, and lasting appeal.