Pachysandra vs periwinkle
The two standard evergreen carpets for shade under trees, and both come from abroad. Periwinkle (Vinca minor) trails and roots as it goes, has blue flowers in spring, and takes more light; it has escaped into woods across the eastern United States, where it smothers wildflowers, and is listed as invasive in many states. Japanese pachysandra makes a denser, more even carpet of glossy leaves, wants shade and acid soil, and spreads more slowly, though it too escapes into woods in places. For a native carpet, look at Allegheny spurge, foamflower or wild ginger.
 Japanese pachysandraPachysandra terminalis |  PeriwinkleVinca minor | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 8 in tall, 18 in wide | 6 in tall, 24 in wide |
| Plant | 8 in apart | 12 in apart |
| Zones | 4 to 9 | 4 to 8 |
| Light | Part shade to shade | Part sun to shade |
| Soil | Well-drained, rich fertility | Well-drained, average fertility |
| Flowers | Mid April to early May; white | Mid April to late May; blue, white, purple |
| Leaves | Medium, evergreen | Medium, evergreen |
| Job in a bed | Carpet | Carpet |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | Toxic (mild) |
| Deer | Resistant | Resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Moderate risk | Invasive in places |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose Japanese pachysandra for warmer gardens (to zone 9), a garden with pets and a plant that stays put (the other is invasive in places).
Read more: all about Japanese pachysandra, and all about periwinkle, each with a bed the planner designed around it.