The Right Place
Winter creepers are hardy as far north as the Ohio Valley, up into eastern Pennsylvania and along the Atlantic coast up to Cape Cod (zone 5). These plants cannot tolerate winter s that regularly get colder than -10°F, although they sometimes survive such cold in protected sites when covered by snow.
Winter creepers are not fussy about soil, as long as it's moderately acid to neutral (pH 6.0 to 7.5) and well drained. They grow well in either full sun or moderate shade, but do not do well in a hot, dry western exposure. Variegated forms may lose their variegation if located in the shade.
Planting Nursery Stock
Plant in the spring or fall, however fall is the best time. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the root system of the plant. Take care not to set plants deeper in the hole than they were in the nursery, to avoid problems with crown rot.
Amendments In Planting or Transplanting
There are a number of products at the garden center that will help your newly planted or transplanted plants deal better with the stress inherent in the planting process. All healthy plants have beneficial fungi, called mycorrhizal fungi, living on their roots. You can buy these valuable additions to your plant’s ecosystem. See the file describing Using Micorrhizae When Planting.
In addition, there are a number of products such as seaweed, compost tea, and beneficial soil microbes that when added to the planting process will help your newly established plants get going faster. See the file New Technology In Plant Growth Activators
For more information see the file on Planting Shrubs. For planting tools see Hand Tools For Digging and Planting in Yardener’s Tool Shed.
