I have an eyesore that needs some help. There is a weedy, lumpy, ugly slope behind my property that is difficult to mow. I want to rototill it smooth and plant some kind of attractive groundcover. It should be able to take full sun, clay soil, a certain amount of foot-traffic, not be invasive, and not need any mowing. Can you help me find this miracle plant?

Fortunately, there are several plant choices for your situation that will stay under 2 feet tall and provide a good, ground-covering effect. The only criteria that will be difficult to satisfy is that of foot traffic, which can be solved by leaving a bit of extra space between plants along the primary paths. Once the area has been planted and covered with a 3 inch layer of shredded bark mulch, which holds the best on slopes, these foot paths will become nicely edged with the trailing tips of the plants. Even if an occasional foot lands on this growth, little, if any, damage will occur to the plant.

Here are lists of some plants that will work the best. For quicker coverage, plant on 4 foot centers, or you may choose slower, more economical coverage at 6 foot centers. In both cases, regular watering and proper fertilization will produce faster coverage. Evergreen: Siberian Cypress; Blue Chip Juniper; Blue Carpet Juniper; Calgary Carpet Juniper; Grey Owl Juniper; Sargent Green Juniper; Creeping Norway Spruce; Wardii Yew. Deciduous: Green Mound Currant; Gold Tide Forsythia; Longacre Potentilla; Magic Carpet Spirea; Gro-Low Sumac; Cutleaf Stephanandra.

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY where my parents had prolific white and black concord grape vines. Over the years, I have tried to propagate these grapes without success. I have taken the seed, cuttings, soil, etc. and yet all of my efforts have failed. It appears now that after more than 55 years, at the age of 89, my mother will finally have to sell the Brooklyn house. Before she does, I would dearly like to be able to grow these grapes here. Could you please tell me what I have done wrong in the past, what I need to do now, and where I can find more information on growing these grapes.  

Without knowing the propagation techniques used in the past, it is difficult to determine why the processes failed. Fortunately, grapes can be propagated from winter-dormant, hardwood cuttings as well as summer leafy cuttings kept under mist. These and other detailed propagation techniques can be learned from many garden and horticultural books, which are often found at garden centers, bookstores and libraries. Also keep in mind that Brooklyn has a much milder climate than we have here locally, so take great care in locating the plants in a well-protected area once you have been successful.

I have an Agapanthus in a pot in my garden. How can I winter it over in the house? What can I expect of it when it is in the house? Since my garage is free standing and unheated, it is cold in the winter, so it is not a good option. Help!

There is no difficulty in growing this plant as long as you can move it to a frost-free room in winter, keeping the temperature no colder than 40 degrees and no warmer than 60 degrees. There, it will need very little water until spring, when it should then be brought back to a well-lit spot and started into growth by watering and feeding. Do not repot frequently as this plant blooms best when it is pot-bound.