They like mulch in a well fertilized ground...good drainage...special acid mix to keep them alive and water....they like morning sun and some shade later in the day. most of them like to be near a wall or barn or house where they are protected from heavy snow & wind. you can put leaves under them to protect there roots in the winter. if you have a deer problem you can cover them with black outside mesh deer do not like that and the don't like irish spring soap hanging in bags on little wooden posts 4 ft off the ground. Soap get wet in the rain and they don't like the smell and that will help keep ticks off your ground.