Nancy Brachey writes about gardening for The Charlotte Observer's weekly Gardening section. You can reach her at (704) 358-5224 or e-mail her at nbrachey@charlotteobserver.com.
Q. To cut down on the amount of lawn that has to be mowed and make the front yard look better, I'm going to start preparing some new beds for shrubs and perennials now so I can plant in the fall. I'd like 1 or 2 kinds of shrubs, preferably evergreen, that will stay under 3 or 4 feet or that can be cut back to be that size without spoiling the plants' look. Any suggestions?
Q. My lovely, large lace-leaf Japanese maple appears not to have survived the winter. Last spring's late freeze killed most of its new leaves and it never regained its full lush. I was preparing to remove the remains when I noticed several shoots emerging from the main trunk. Is there hope? What should I do?
Q. We have leyland cypresses bordering our backyard for privacy, and before we had red tips. The leylands are now diseased just as the red tips 14 years ago. What would be a good fast-growing replacement?
Q. Since soaker hoses are allowed under watering restrictions, I am placing them all around my flower beds and shrubs under the mulch. How long should I let them run?
SHOP FOR VEGGIE SEEDS Shop for seeds of lettuce, spinach, carrots, peas and beets to sow soon in your vegetable garden. Stagger plantings of the leafy crops over several weeks.
