"Rachel" expounded:

I had heard that partridgeberry was "slow-growing", but this is ridiculous.
In zone 6b, on the Blue Ridge, I put in a dozen plants a year ago. The soil
is typical woodland, acidic (from the oaks) clay. The plants were tiny when
received from a reputable supplier. All last summer, they seemed OK, added
an inch or two, grew a few new leaves. Now, after a cold winter, only half
of them are still alive, and those seem to have fewer leaves than last year.
I can see this is never going to be a "ground cover", but does anybody know
what I can do to keep these plants alive and encourage them?

They should be rock-hardy for you, however, I've got to ask, do you
have them on bare ground with no leaf mould or mulch for them to crawl
through? They are forest floor dwellers, they need shade an a rich
leafy mulch in order to be happy.
--
Ann, Gardening in zone 6a
Just south of Boston, MA
********************************