QUESTION: What would you suggest for the backyard of our new home? It is a steep slope, eastward facing, that is 55 feet wide and 30 feet deep, leading to a wetland. The builder planted some spreading junipers, which all died, and covered the hill with pine straw. The hill is too steep to work — and we like the idea of the pine straw, because that seems to be lower maintenance. Azaleas and daylilies have been suggested to us, but don't those need care and pruning? We are stumped and from the North, so we are not familiar with what grows the best in the Southeast. Any ideas?ANSWER: The spreading junipers were a good choice for this steep slope, and it is a shame they died. This was likely due to lack of water while the plants were getting established, which takes at least two growing seasons. Pine needles are one solution, but they must be regularly refreshed.I would rather devote that money to the more permanent solution of plants. A large swath of pine needles is also boring and will require attention to weed-pulling when those nuisance creatures find their way through the mulch. And they will.What you need is a ground cover or low shrubs that will spread into a carpet and suppress weeds. I simply cannot suggest English ivy for this wide-open space because of its tendencies to run rampant. It will be out in the wetland area before you can turn around. A bank of variegated liriope or petite mondo grass would be serviceable.But if you're willing to try again on the creeping junipers and pay attention to watering them, that would be a simple choice. Blue Rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), growing 4 to 6 inches tall, is one of the shortest and does create a desirable carpet that helps a bank resist erosion, one worry you mentioned. However, weeds may erupt until the plants form the desired mat. Blue Rug tolerates hot, dry conditions, but that does not mean you can just depend on our erratic rainfall while it gets established.To make this sunny planting more interesting, I suggest a combination of things, perhaps using the monkey or mondo grass as a permanent edger. A wavy line of them defining the top of the bank could be interesting.So could a bed, perhaps 3 feet wide, of daylilies and other summer perennials such as black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, phlox, and Shasta daisies at the top of the bank. That would look lovely, close to the house, and it would be a garden to enjoy within easy reach. Adding daffodils for the spring would stretch the garden's season.Then the carpet of Blue Rug could flow out of this garden and down the hill.This will not be a no-work landscape, but once established should not prove too time-consuming for you to keep it looking good.

QUESTION: The leaves on my Japanese maple are turning brown. The leaves on the maple are brown and curling It was planted last fall. Is this a watering problem or possibly an insect infestation?ANSWER: The leaves on the Japanese maple show symptoms of water stress. This is their first summer after transplanting and it is crucial to keep the roots watered. Remember, we have had some dry stretches this summer. You must see that the roots get about 1 inch of water this summer and next, while they roots get established in their new position.Send your gardening questions to Nancy Brachey, The Charlotte Observer, P.O. Box 30308, Charlotte, N.C. 28230.