Do you cut back pachysandra?
Tip: it is optional, but if your pachysandra plants are leggy you can cut them back by half their height with pruning shears when you plant them. Use a pair of clean shears to cut back your pachysandra plant before the new growing season begins. You can also clip the tips of the plant in the spring to encourage air circulation and more dense growth.Typically, established pachysandra wins over others, meaning it chokes out other plants. If sparse, I’ve read you can shear them back in spring using a weed whacker set at an elevated level. Or, clip them by hand which makes cleaner cuts – better for the plants, though tedious to do.Unfortunately, you’ll have to use a systemic herbicide to get rid of pachysandra. This kills any vegetation it comes in contact with, so use it carefully. If you spray it on, choose a calm day so the wind won’t carry it to other plants. Don’t use the herbicide where it may run off into bodies of water.
How do you rejuvenate pachysandra?
If you would like to revitalize affected pachysandra, cut all pachysandra down to 1 inch tall. Fertilize pachysandra with Holly-Tone using 15 cups per 10′ X 10′ area. Water in the Holly-Tone. Apply Daconil Fungicide beginning at spring bud break. In early spring, feed pachysandra with a slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants like holly, azalea or rhododendron. A common brand is Holly-tone. This helps maintain the acidic soil pH that pachysandra needs to thrive.