Looking for an easy-to-grow ground cover that thrives in shady areas? Look no further than pachysandra!
This versatile plant spreads readily and is perfect for filling in under trees and along building foundations. And the best part? After a few years of growth, you can easily transplant parts of the plant to other areas of your landscape.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of transplanting pachysandra, from preparing the new planting area to caring for your newly transplanted ground cover.
So grab your garden spade and let’s get started!
How To Transplant Pachysandra Ground Cover
Step 1: Choose the Right Time to Transplant
The best time to transplant pachysandra is in the early spring or autumn, when the plant is not actively growing. This will give it the best chance to establish itself in its new location before winter sets in.
Step 2: Prepare the New Planting Area
Cultivate the growing area down to a depth of approximately 4 inches with your garden spade. Add 2 inches of aged compost to the top of the soil and work it in well with your garden spade. Rake the surface of the new planting area smooth.
Step 3: Harvest Parts of the Pachysandra
Remove a portion of the pachysandra from its growing location. Insert the tip of your shovel into the soil approximately 3 inches and then angle the shovel under the pachysandra to loosen it from the ground. Remove the shovel and slice through the piece of pachysandra on the sides so you can remove a portion that will fit on your shovel. Place this piece into a wheelbarrow. Repeat this process to harvest as much pachysandra as you wish to transplant.
Step 4: Examine and Prepare Pachysandra for Transplanting
Examine the pachysandra in the wheelbarrow for any dead or diseased areas and remove these with a sharp knife.
Step 5: Plant Pachysandra in New Location
Dig holes with your shovel that are deep enough to plant the pachysandra at the same depth as it was previously growing. Space the pachysandra several inches apart in the new growing location and it will fill in readily to create a carpet of ground cover.
Step 6: Water and Care for Newly Transplanted Pachysandra
Water the newly transplanted pachysandra immediately after planting. Keep the plants evenly watered for the first two weeks after transplanting them to ensure they adjust to the transplant successfully. Newly planted pachysandra beds need weekly watering and weeding. Organic mulch applied around the plants and a slow-release fertilizer is beneficial.
Step 7: Watch for Pests and Diseases
Insects that occasionally infest pachysandra are mites and scale. Mites cause the leaves to fade from green to yellow. Heavy infestations form fine webbing on the leaves. Scale can infest the stems and leaves of pachysandra, causing the plants to yellow and die. Both types of insects can be controlled by insecticides if the problem becomes severe. Leaf and stem blight of pachysandra is sometimes a problem. This blight is caused by a fungus that can occur when plants are under stress from drought, overcrowded beds or if the plants have been covered with wet fall leaves. The symptoms are large, chocolate-colored blotches on the leaves, which then wilt, the stems shrivel and the plant dies. This disease can be controlled by thoroughly cleaning your beds in the spring (in particular removing wet leaves), periodically thinning the bed and removing severely infected plants.
Preparing For Transplanting
Before transplanting pachysandra ground cover, it is important to prepare the plant and the new planting area. First, choose the right time to transplant. The best time is in the early spring or autumn when the plant is not actively growing. This will give it the best chance to establish itself in its new location before winter sets in.
Next, prepare the new planting area by cultivating the growing area down to a depth of approximately 4 inches with your garden spade. Add 2 inches of aged compost to the top of the soil and work it in well with your garden spade. Rake the surface of the new planting area smooth.
When harvesting parts of the pachysandra, remove a portion from its growing location. Insert the tip of your shovel into the soil approximately 3 inches and then angle the shovel under the pachysandra to loosen it from the ground. Remove the shovel and slice through the piece of pachysandra on the sides so you can remove a portion that will fit on your shovel. Place this piece into a wheelbarrow. Repeat this process to harvest as much pachysandra as you wish to transplant.
Examine the pachysandra in the wheelbarrow for any dead or diseased areas and remove these with a sharp knife. When planting, dig holes with your shovel that are deep enough to plant the pachysandra at the same depth as it was previously growing. Space the pachysandra several inches apart in the new growing location and it will fill in readily to create a carpet of ground cover.
After planting, water the newly transplanted pachysandra immediately. Keep them evenly watered for the first two weeks after transplanting them to ensure they adjust to their new location successfully. Newly planted pachysandra beds need weekly watering and weeding. Organic mulch applied around the plants and a slow-release fertilizer is beneficial.
Finally, watch for pests and diseases that may affect your pachysandra. Insects that occasionally infest pachysandra are mites and scale. Mites cause the leaves to fade from green to yellow, while heavy infestations form fine webbing on the leaves. Scale can infest the stems and leaves of pachysandra, causing the plants to yellow and die. Both types of insects can be controlled by insecticides if the problem becomes severe. Leaf and stem blight of pachysandra is sometimes a problem caused by a fungus that can occur when plants are under stress from drought, overcrowded beds, or if the plants have been covered with wet fall leaves. This disease can be controlled by thoroughly cleaning your beds in the spring (in particular removing wet leaves), periodically thinning the bed, and removing severely infected plants.
Selecting And Digging Up Pachysandra
Before transplanting pachysandra, it is important to select healthy plants. Look for plants that have green leaves and no signs of disease or pests.
To dig up pachysandra, insert the tip of your shovel into the soil approximately 3 inches and then angle the shovel under the pachysandra to loosen it from the ground. Remove the shovel and slice through the piece of pachysandra on the sides so you can remove a portion that will fit on your shovel. Place this piece into a wheelbarrow. Repeat this process to harvest as much pachysandra as you wish to transplant.
It is important to examine the pachysandra in the wheelbarrow for any dead or diseased areas and remove these with a sharp knife. This will ensure that only healthy plants are transplanted into the new location.
When digging up pachysandra, make sure to space the holes 12 to 18 inches away from other plants and hardscape elements. Make the hole twice as wide and equal in depth to the plant’s root ball.
Alternatively, you can also propagate pachysandra by taking cuttings from a healthy plant. Cut a 4-inch stem from a healthy plant just below a leaf clump, either from a bed you already have, or borrow from a neighbor. Fill a pot with moist soil and dig a small hole. Keep the pot with new seedlings in a warm but shady spot and allow six weeks for the roots to develop before transplanting to the prepared bed in your yard.
Regardless of the method used, it is important to water newly transplanted pachysandra immediately after planting and keep them evenly watered for the first two weeks after transplanting them to ensure they adjust to the transplant successfully.
Preparing The New Planting Area
Before transplanting your pachysandra ground cover, it is important to prepare the new planting area properly. This will ensure that your plants have the best chance of thriving in their new location.
The first step in preparing the new planting area is to cultivate the growing area down to a depth of approximately 4 inches with a garden spade. This will help to loosen the soil and create a better environment for your plants.
Next, add 2 inches of aged compost to the top of the soil and work it in well with your garden spade. This will add nutrients to the soil and help your plants to establish themselves more quickly.
Once you have added the compost, rake the surface of the new planting area smooth. This will create a level surface for your plants and make it easier to plant them at the correct depth.
By taking the time to properly prepare your new planting area, you can give your pachysandra ground cover the best chance of success in its new location.
Transplanting The Pachysandra
Transplanting pachysandra is a great way to propagate the plant and fill in new areas of your garden with this beautiful ground cover. The process is relatively simple and can be done with just a few basic tools. Follow these steps to transplant pachysandra successfully:
Step 1: Choose the Right Time to Transplant
The best time to transplant pachysandra is in the early spring or autumn, when the plant is not actively growing. This will give it the best chance to establish itself in its new location before winter sets in.
Step 2: Prepare the New Planting Area
Before you start transplanting, you need to prepare the new planting area. Use a garden spade to cultivate the soil down to a depth of approximately 4 inches. Add 2 inches of aged compost to the top of the soil and work it in well with your garden spade. Rake the surface of the new planting area smooth.
Step 3: Harvest Parts of the Pachysandra
To transplant pachysandra, you will need to harvest parts of the plant from its existing location. Insert the tip of your shovel into the soil approximately 3 inches and then angle the shovel under the pachysandra to loosen it from the ground. Remove the shovel and slice through the piece of pachysandra on the sides so you can remove a portion that will fit on your shovel. Place this piece into a wheelbarrow. Repeat this process to harvest as much pachysandra as you wish to transplant.
Step 4: Examine and Prepare Pachysandra for Transplanting
Examine the pachysandra in the wheelbarrow for any dead or diseased areas and remove these with a sharp knife. This will prevent any issues from spreading to your new planting area.
Step 5: Plant Pachysandra in New Location
Dig holes with your shovel that are deep enough to plant the pachysandra at the same depth as it was previously growing. Space the pachysandra several inches apart in the new growing location and it will fill in readily to create a carpet of ground cover.
Step 6: Water and Care for Newly Transplanted Pachysandra
Water the newly transplanted pachysandra immediately after planting. Keep the plants evenly watered for the first two weeks after transplanting them to ensure they adjust to the transplant successfully. Newly planted pachysandra beds need weekly watering and weeding. Organic mulch applied around the plants and a slow-release fertilizer is beneficial.
Step 7: Watch for Pests and Diseases
Insects that occasionally infest pachysandra are mites and scale. Mites cause the leaves to fade from green to yellow. Heavy infestations form fine webbing on the leaves. Scale can infest the stems and leaves of pachysandra, causing the plants to yellow and die. Both types of insects can be controlled by insecticides if the problem becomes severe. Leaf and stem blight of pachysandra is sometimes a problem. This blight is caused by a fungus that can occur when plants are under stress from drought, overcrowded beds or if the plants have been covered with wet fall leaves. The symptoms are large, chocolate-colored blotches on the leaves, which then wilt, the stems shrivel and the plant dies. This disease can be controlled by thoroughly cleaning your beds in the spring (in particular removing wet leaves), periodically thinning the bed and removing severely infected plants.
By following these steps, you can successfully transplant pachysandra and enjoy its beautiful ground cover in new areas of your garden.
Caring For Your Transplanted Pachysandra
Transplanting pachysandra is a great way to fill in bare spots in your garden and create a lush carpet of ground cover. However, it’s important to take care of your newly transplanted pachysandra to ensure that it thrives in its new location. Here are some tips for caring for your transplanted pachysandra:
1. Water regularly: Newly transplanted pachysandra needs regular watering to help it establish itself in its new location. Water the plants deeply once a week or more often if the weather is hot and dry.
2. Mulch around the plants: Mulching around your pachysandra plants can help keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing. Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded leaves or bark, around the plants.
3. Fertilize sparingly: Pachysandra doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer, but a slow-release fertilizer can help give it a boost. Apply a small amount of fertilizer around the base of the plants in the spring.
4. Watch for pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for pests and diseases that can affect pachysandra, such as mites, scale, and leaf blight. If you notice any problems, take action immediately to prevent them from spreading.
5. Thin out overcrowded plants: Over time, your pachysandra plants may become overcrowded and start to die off in the center. To prevent this, periodically thin out the bed by removing some of the plants.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your transplanted pachysandra thrives in its new location and provides you with years of lush ground cover.
