Photo: Vassil, Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Japanese spurge: when and how to prune
Pachysandra terminalis
Japanese spurge is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | April–May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Japanese spurge: when to prune it?
Pruning is not needed. If an old planting becomes bare or untidy, cut or mow it short in March.
What else to prune in those months? March
Japanese spurge: how to prune it?
- In March, cut or mow a bare planting back to 5–10 cm: it soon regrows thick and dense.
- Cut out dead or diseased stems back to healthy green growth.
- Chop off runners that creep beyond the bed with a spade.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Cut diseased stems in dry weather and clear them away at once, so the fungus does not spread further. Japanese spurge is poisonous: wear gloves and keep clippings away from children, pets and livestock.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Japanese spurge · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.