Beginner Gardening: Problem area, 1 by missgarney

missgarney wrote:
I don't see a forum dedicated to helping people garden in those troublesome spots where getting anything to grow well is difficult.

I'd like suggestions for the slope shown in this photo. We are in zone 6B, in the mountains of western North Carolina, with acidic mineral soil. It is a steep slope which was created when the land was cleared for the house 10 years ago. We moved here 2 years ago. The slope is covered with a mostly degraded hardwood mulch. At the bottom, euonymous, sedum, perennial sage and a little bit of ajuga and lavender are growing reasonably well. Up on the slope several cinquefoil shrubs are barely surviving. In the summer the slope is particularly unsightly with weeds and clumps of grass, along with the pathetic cinquefoil. I am physically unable to weed it. It is a curved slope, exposure is to the largely west-northwest. The picture was taken this morning; it's a view from the west northwest.

I'm open to hearing about grand schemes for creating something spectacular, as well as short term quick fixes for refurbishing the cinquefoil, managing weeds, suggestions for plants that might do well. I will probably replenish the mulch layer soon in any event.