Fat men are ideal ground cover for shady areas. If the lawn does not like to grow in the shade, these plants are a good alternative. They are also suitable for underplanting trees and thus for suppressing weeds. In addition, the plants are very good leaf eaters in autumn. Fallen leaves fall between the leaves of the ground cover and are decomposed there, which also benefits the fat man. Fat men are ideal for forest gardens, for peaty moor soils, thrive on the edges of ponds and streams and are also suitable for planting graves.
Table of Contents
Characteristics
- Evergreen subshrub for shady areas
- Also called Japanese Ysander, Shadow Green, Dickanthere or Pachysandra
- The boxwood family
- Different sorts
- Originates from China and Japan
- Low, mat-like growth
- Spreads by rhizomes
- 20 to 30 cm wide and just as high
- Leathery, narrow leaves in a strong green to dark green
- White flowers from April to May, erect spikes
- Ideal for underplanting rhododendrons
- The most famous variety is probably ‘Green Carpet’
- Good lawn replacement, but not hard-wearing
- Grows rather slowly
The care of the fat man is absolutely uncomplicated. If the plant is protected from the midday sun and in humus-rich and slightly moist soil, it is almost a sure-fire success. Although these plants grow slowly, over time they form dense carpets and do not give weeds a chance to gain a foothold anywhere. When it’s very dry, the fat man needs water, otherwise you don’t have to worry much. To prevent the substrate from drying out quickly, mulching is recommended. The addition of compost in autumn is usually sufficient for the nutrient supply. The plant usually survives the winter without any problems. You don’t have to cut it, but it makes sense from time to time. Propagation is simple and diseases and pests hardly occur, at least not if the location and substrate are right.
location
Fat men are best placed in partial shade or full shade. Where other plants have difficulty thriving, fat mans feel at home, i.e. under trees and as underplanting of woody plants. The plants can also do well in the sun, but they do not thrive as well and the leaves look rather sallow and can turn completely pale yellow. Morning and evening sun are ideal, but midday sun damages the plants in the long run.
- partial shade to full shade
- under trees
- underplanting of trees
- In no way too hot, but rather cool
- Morning and evening sun are well tolerated
No bright midday sun, otherwise constant soil moisture must be ensured, then the
Ideal at the water’s edge will also be tolerated, since the plants also appreciate high humidity
plant substrate
Fatty males prefer cool, slightly moist but well-drained soil. They tend to be very adaptable as long as the substrate isn’t very extreme.
- No heavy floors
- Loose, humus-rich soil with good moisture
- Fresh to moist plant substrate
- Not too dry
plant
Piglets can be planted all year round except when there is frost, but spring and autumn are ideal for this. When planting itself, there is not much to consider. It is advisable to put some horn shavings in the planting hole. Expect 8 plants per square meter, leaving about 30 centimeters of space between them. A layer of mulch is ideal to protect the soil from drying out.
- Can be planted all year round
- Horn shavings in the planting hole
- 8-10 plants per m²
- Mulch the soil to protect it from drying out
- If the soil is very poor, it makes sense to mix in compost when planting
- No problem with root pressure from trees and other plants
- Remove weeds regularly after planting, only until the soil is overgrown
watering and fertilizing
Fat men don’t need a lot of water, but they should still be watered from time to time. The soil should not dry out completely. Consistent humidity is better. Not much fertilizer is needed either. A compost addition in autumn is usually completely sufficient. If you own a garden pond, you can also water it with pond water, you kill 2 birds with one stone, that is watering and fertilizing in one.
- A constantly slightly moist soil is ideal
- No waterlogging!
- Water young plants regularly until they are established
- Older plants cope better with drought
- Water generously, especially in a sunny location
- Mulched soil retains moisture better
To cut
The fat man does not have to be cut, but it can. If you want, you can cut back the plants by about 1/3 after flowering, which encourages new growth. It is also advisable to prune the plants about every three years. Every five years, a pruning can be made down to the old stems. There is nothing more to be done unless the plants spread excessively. Then it makes sense to cut off the superfluous parts with a spade. If the foliage has become quite unsightly due to a harsh winter, you can cut back generously in spring and thus encourage strong new growth.
- It must not be too hot and dry when cutting, as this will not do the plants good
- You don’t have to cut
hibernate
Fat men are sufficiently hardy, even without protection.
multiply
Fatty males form subterranean foothills. This is a very simple way to multiply. Propagation is done by simply cutting off parts of the planting and planting them separately. Since the plant spreads quite quickly, it is sometimes necessary to cut off parts that outgrow their intended location. Plants can also be easily divided or propagated by cuttings.
- Form subterranean offshoots
- Spreads quickly
- cuttings
- Divide or cut off
diseases and pests
Diseases are rare. Occasionally, when winters are very wet, fungus can occur. The soil does not dry out and fat men react sensitively to permanent wetness. Leaf spot disease and stem rot can occur. The fungus Volutella pachysandricola only infects fat males and mainly weakened plants. Most often it penetrates through injuries. The disease has become more common in recent years. When it occurs, diseased plants should be removed. Treat plants that are not yet infested with the fungicide Ortiva as a preventive measure, alternatively with Dithane Neo Tec. According to the application description, several measures must be taken at regular intervals.
- Pilzerkrankungen
- Stalk foul
- Special fungal disease only in fat males
Replace infested soil as the spores survive in the soil and reinfection would occur unless other plant species are used.
Pests very rarely emerge. There are no pests that specialize in fat people.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fat man turns yellow. What can be the reason?
This can be due to too much sun or too few nutrients. If there is a lack of nutrients, additional fertilization in the spring helps. In the sun, the location should be covered. Too high a lime content in the soil can also be to blame. You can prevent this with acidic soil, so incorporate rhododendron earth.
What varieties are there?
There are numerous varieties, but many of them are not offered in Germany. It’s usually always the same.
- Low fat man, Pachysandra terminalis ‘Compacta’: only 10 cm high, 30 to 40 cm wide, fresh green leaves, growth rate: only 5 cm per year
- Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ – 10 to 15 cm tall, rich green leaves, very compact, growth rate: 5 to 8 cm per year
- Pachysandra terminalis ‘Kingwood’ – deeply incised, rather narrow dark green leaves, about 15 cm high, slow growth
- P. terminalis ‘Silver Edge’ – leaves edged in creamy white, glossy and medium green, 10 to 20 cm high, slow growth
- P. terminalis ‘Tundra’ – dark green leaves with a tinge of yellow, slow growth
- P. terminalis ‘Variegata’ – white-veined and bordered leaves, similar to ‘Silver Edge’, slow-growing, particularly good for shady locations
