I think that it will be just fine! They will grow in this fashion, naturally, and will be well suited for the purpose.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/pachysandra/pachysandra-ground-cover.htm
I’m 80 and wonder if I should cut all back. It looks like a lot of work
I would cut back anything that is completely dead. Outside of this, it will not be necessary to cut back anything else.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/pachysandra
I just planted Green Carpet' Pachysandra around a Beautiful white ash tree with lots of roots. Can I give these new little plants coffee grounds? What is another ground covering I can plant around another tree with lots of roots and easy to grow? I am a real GARDEN NOVICE.
You can. I like using spent grounds to be sure that there isn't too much nitrogen present. There are a few things that you can attempt to grow under the tree, but Pachysandra will tend to take over, pretty invasively. Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/pachysandra/pachysandra-ground-cover.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/gcgen/part-sun-and-shade-groundcover.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-6/zone-6-ground-covers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/coffee-grounds-lawn-fertilizer.htm