At this time when the heat is making its presence felt and the search for places sheltered from the sun in green spaces becomes a priority, we revisit the [previous post](http://www.salagraupera.com/es/bloc/item/132-plantas-de-sombra-i) about the new shade plants cultivated in the Nursery. Like all species produced there, they are low-maintenance plants for sustainable gardening. Although these shade plants tend to have somewhat higher water needs, they will help us solve the shadiest areas of the garden.
One of these is Pachysandra terminalis or "diamond" as it is commonly known, a plant native to Japan and China that belongs to the Buxaceae family. Its scientific name comes from the Greek prefixes pachy (large) and andro (male), which refer to the four large stamens of its flowers.
It is a compact plant with horizontal stems and short vertical shoots. Its leaves are evergreen, somewhat leathery, and clustered at the tips. In full development it reaches 20-30 cm in height and 30-40 cm in width. Flowering takes place between April and May, with small spike-shaped flowers on female individuals and with prominent white stamens on male individuals.
Pachysandra is a shade plant that has no particular soil type requirements, except for very arid soils, and although it tolerates a certain lack of water, it is advisable to water it occasionally. It is tolerant of low temperatures, being able to withstand frosts down to -15ºC. And it has no tendency to suffer from pests or diseases, although it can sometimes be attacked by slugs, snails, or mites.
Regarding maintenance needs, it is a species that does not need to be pruned, but if it expands too much or the foliage ages, it can be cut to about 5-10cm in height at the end of winter. On large surfaces this task can even be done with a lawn mower, as it is a very resistant plant that regrows vigorously.
Its use is recommended for covering slopes, creating borders in flower beds, or as ground cover in informal gardens. It is very useful for covering areas of intense shade such as shady corners or under trees with dense canopies. It can also be grown in pots and is a highly recommended species for use in vertical gardens.
In the Sala Graupera catalog we can also find another cultivar, Pachysandra terminalis 'Variegata', which is characterized by having cream-colored leaf margins and somewhat slower growth.
Imágenes: blogs.windsorstar.com / thegardenhelper.com / astridsgardendesign.blogspot.com / canadaplants.ca