Q&A on gardening.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Nancy Brachey

Q: The builder planted Compacta hollies between the house and the walkway, a space of about 2 feet. There is no sun. The shrubs are dying. What would you suggest we plant there?

A: You need something smallish and evergreen that thrives without sun and that's a pretty narrow space for a shrub. Why not think about evergreen and semi-evergreen ground covers and perennials? Some are such winners you'll wish you had even more tight spaces to work them in.

Sweet box (Sarcococca hookerana) makes an outstanding evergreen ground cover, growing 6 to 8 inches tall and forming nice little colonies. Though underused, its foliage and sweet flowers make it desirable.

Other choices include Lenten roses, which I think look good all year because of their great foliage and long-lasting flowers. Among the ground covers, pachysandra makes an interesting choice for shade. And I can't forget the various hardy ferns which are so beautiful and offer many possibilities for the shade garden.

Tuck in some spring flowering bulbs or woodland wild flowers and you turn this narrow strip into a garden.

___