is this recent? or have they been doing poorly since last fall? brownish and losing leaves is definately not good- they might not have gotten enough water to extend roots- they could have been frost-bitten over the winter?

I would pull a few of them up- if they come right out, and the roots aren't much bigger than when you planted them, they failed to take (ground too hard, not enough water, pure bad luck, which IS a factor when working with plants)

if they fight back, they're still alive, and SHOULD put out new growth soon.

The problem may be the maples--ground under them is quite dry due to the surface roots and the shade can be quite dense. I have pachy growing under a crabapple, and set up irrigation tubing to help it out. Under a maple may be too difficult. There was a thread in one of the forums about growing under maples--you might want to search for it.

I have grown pachy under evergreens with success but I am convinced that nothing grows under a maple. Mulch is my suggestion.

Water.....they are dry....pachysandra grows just fine anywhere....if you water it!...
Linda C

My pachysandra does well in mostly shaded area's only, if some of the new ones find light, they will burn and turn yellow. Also some damage may occur when they are stepped on. True, it is hard to find ground cover for maples, I have lireope growing under mine now for years and they do great. But I would not give up hope yet.