Contest Begun May 2001

This contest was won by Janet Novak who submitted the correct answer on Thursday, May 31st at 23:58 ET.

If you would like to try your hand at guessing the correct answer, the clues available when the contest was won are provided below. The correct answer can be displayed at the bottom of the page.

1. This plant is a native of the Western Hemisphere.
2. The alternate, compound leaves of this plant reach 37 cm (15 in) in length.
3. This plant reaches 1-2 m (3-6 ft) in height.
4. This plant flowers from late spring through mid-summer.
5. The unisexual flowers of this plant are just 4 mm (.17 in) in width.

Can you name the genus and species of this plant?

The correct answer can be displayed at the bottom of the page.

The Prize!

Pachysandra procumbens

Pachysandra procumbens is an East Coast member of the Buxaceae (boxwood) family and is commonly referred to as Allegheny spurge. It's superior to the more commonly used (Asian) Pachysandra terminalis in virtually every respect. P. procumbens is a clump forming groundcover that fills in an area slowy, but much more elegantly. In the early Spring, it shoots up spikes of pink and white fragrant flowers that last for a week or two. Soon after the flowers have set seed, the first vegetative shoots poke their heads through the soil and their dark green leaves begin,to unfold. In deep shade, the foliage remains a dark luxurious, green all summer. The more sun that the plants get, the lighter their leaves. In the late summer to early fall, P. procumbens reminds us of the approaching Autumnal equinox by "opening its windows to let in more light". This effect takes its form as beautiful silvery mottling on the leaves that I can only compare to snowflakes in the respect that no two leaves are alike.

This month's contest winner will receive three Pachysandra procumbens supplied by Sunshine Farm & Gardens.

Just click on the button below to see the correct answer to this contest.