Hey, you might be in my neck of the woods...similar style homes where I live. I've had pachysandra (japanese spurge) in both full sun and full shade, and they've done spectacular in each area. I supplement water in full sun when needed, but have never had issues with browning. Stays evergreen for me year round, tolerates snowblowing in the winter along with the driveway salt. I would recommend fertilizing upon planting and each year in early spring, though not a requirement. They like acid based soil - I use a tomato fertilizer, or sometimes I've used the all purpose 15-30-15 Miracle Gro. Either would be fine. Water frequently until established. **I would highly recommend a light (shredded) mulch the first year, that will carry over to year two, and by the third year it will not be necessary.** Space approx 8" apart and within three years they'll fill in completely (keep the ground moist to encourage growth) - once established, they're VERY hardy and a beautiful groundcover also effective for choking out weeds (or anything else you plant there for that matter). I planted this in an area where I could not get rid of bishops weed for the life of me, and within a couple of years it was wiped out completely. Plant it deeper than it was in the flats to encourage more root growth. They have a fairly shallow root system, not invasive by any stretch of the imagination but will spread by underground runners if not contained. I don't have this problem because it's between a retaining wall and a sidewalk, but if you will be planting among other perennials, I'd recommend a plastic border. This is one of the very few plants to grow successfully (thrive, actually) under evergreens. The only place I have NOT been successful in growing this is next to my overtowering maple on easement lawn - the roots of the tree stand at ground level, not enough depth to the topsoil for the pachy to spread their roots. I COULD add more soil to this area, but not sure how healthy that would be for the tree?? I do have Vinca growing under this tree, but it grows VERY slow for me (not enough moisture?), and overall I'm not impressed with it -not much presence so to speak, and IMHO Vinca would look better in an elevated bed surrounding a tree rather than as a singular groundcover as a whole. Once you have pach, you'll never go back. LOL Good luck!

Where I have encountered Ticks has been while hiking in forests and unmowed fields, places that tend to be cool, shady, and moist. I have not encountered Ticks in compost piles, mulched planting beds, or mowed lawn, or under shade trees in yards, although I have heard from people that apparently have. Keep in mind that predators of Ticks need somewhat the same environment to live in as Ticks do, so eliminating mulched planting beds, etc. may well be counterproductive.

I have PLENTY of both regular and variegated kerria japonica if you want some suckers, also clerodendrum trichotoma (harlequin glorybower -- a nice five-foot shrub that blooms in white fragrant flat panicles, then the berries turn blue while the brachts stay maroon, and then later the leaves go golden before they drop -- definitely a three-season shrub, though again it DOES sucker). I also have a large abelia (really a part-sun shrub, but truly blooms all summer) that I would like to dig up and replace with a blueberry. I live in Lanham, near NASA -- is that close enough for you? LynnT

Partridgeberry is a lovely ground cover and a good protection for spring ephemerals. Labrador violets have pretty purple tinged leaves. I have a pretty variegated leaf wood phlox called Montrose Tricolor which until recently was the only wood phlox the slugs did not destroy. Pixie