ask the expert

My mother has a sweet gum tree in the yard. 1 would like to plant an evergreen ground cover beneath it that would flower in spring or summer. What do you suggest?

BECKY s. BEACHAM

ROME, GEORGIA

The expert recommends planting either common periwinkle (Vinca minor) or liriope (also called monkey grass). Periwinkle combines deep green foliage with blue or white spring flowers. Liriope sports solid green or variegated leaves with blue, purple, pink, lavender, or white blooms in summer.

Caterpillars have infested my garden. How can I get rid of them before they eat up my azaleas and camellias?

PHYLLlS NICHOLS-GUTIERREZ

RIDGEWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA

Other than picking them off by hand, the most environmentally benign way to control caterpillars is to spray your plants according to label directions with a biological insecticide called Bacillus thuringiensis. You'll find it sold under the name Dipel. For longer-lasting chemical control, spray with carbaryl (Sevin), lambda-cyhalothrin (Triazicide), or acephate (Orthene).

For three years I have tried unsuccessfully to get grass to grow in an area of my backyard shaded by two large ash trees. If grass won't grow, I would prefer a low-profile ground cover so that my son and his dog can play there.

JOHN MCLERNON,

WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA

No grass grows well in shade, as you've discovered. So consider covering the problem area with either pine straw or bark mulch. This will hold the soil in place and need little upkeep, other than replenishing the straw or bark each year. You could plant a shade-tolerant ground cover, such as English ivy, but your son and dog would wear paths through it. Plus, you'd have to worry about critters hiding in the ivy.

Why did the hostas in my garden turn yellow and dry this year?

ELEANOR KAYWORK

WEST PATERSON, NEW JERSEY

They probably didn't get enough water. When the soil dries out, the leaves of these shade-loving perennials tend to scorch around the edges. Eventually, they yellow and wither. Next year, thoroughly soak plants twice a week throughout the summer. Mulching will help keep the soil moist.

What is a good evergreen bush that grows quickly in my area?

LAURA c STEVENS

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Fast-growing evergreen shrubs that do well in Austin's alkaline soil include firethorn (Pyracantha sp.), Texas privet (Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum'), thorny elaeagnus (Elaeagnus pungens), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), sandankwa viburnum (Viburnum suspensum), and glossy privet (L. lucidum).

TIP OF THE MONTH

No one was available to water my hanging baskets while I was away from home for four days. So before leaving, I filled a child's wading pool with water 3 inches deep and put the baskets in it. I returned home to find all 10 containers blooming profusely.

KATHY ALPE

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

ACCORDING TO STEVE

One of my son's favorite TV shows is MythBusters, in which a jolly band of tech geeks with no. serious career plans debunks popular myths, such as the one about how the Earth revolves around Tom Cruise's ego. (Don't feel bad-even Columbus fell for that one.) Well, it's time to put an end to another misconception. The foliage of sumac (shown at left) does not cause skin rashes. However, an imposter called poison sumac does (its berries are greenish white, not red). Therefore, sumac is a viable candidate for your garden. True, it spreads by suckers, but not rampantly. And you can easily cut them off.

What makes this native plant special is its incandescent fall foliage in colors of scarlet, crimson, and orange. It's one of the first plants to turn. Plus, sumac grows in any well-drained soil, it doesn't need watering once established, and birds relish the red berries in fall. Now that I've destroyed that myth, let me address another one that says I taught Taylor Hicks how to sing. I actually taught him how to dance. I'm so sorry. -STEVE BENDER

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