It loves my acidic clay soil here in PA. I can't speak as to how it does in
your zone....The key to establishing pachysandra is plenty of good quality
bark mulch. It keeps the roots cooler and gives them a place to run about
easily. Shade is also essential.

Dig your soil over, if possible, adding compost or leaves or whatever other
organic material you can get your hands on. If your bank is too steep to
dig on, cover it with layers of newspaper, 5-6 sheets at a time, watering
them down as you go, then covering with mulch. This will smother plants
already there, and break down in time to enrich the soil. If the bank is
very steep, rig up some pegs (small sticks or whatnot) to hold the paper and
keep it from sliding down the hill. Leave it all sit and mellow for a few
days or weeks, then use a trowel to make small slits into the soil to insert
the cuttings. Keep it well watered for the first year.

The old saying for groundcovers and vines is--the first year it sleeps, the
second it creeps, the third it leaps. You will need to keep it weeded and
watered for the first few years, and add fresh mulch in the spring, but once
it is established and forms a thick mat it is practically carefree. If the
area you want to cover is extensive,and the budget minimalist, you can start
with a smaller area and after a few years use your own cuttings to extend
it.

Sue

Zone 6, Southcentral PA


I'm in Mid/South GA, on the Alabama line. I think it's "zone 9"
although I've seen differing maps for grass and climate. Maybe it's
zone 8a for climate.

I'm looking for Pachysandra's to plant. I think I will try a nursery
as the Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe's couldn't really help me much.
Just hoping Pachysandra's like acidic clay soils.