Hello, We live in a townhouse in a homeowners association in Chanhassen. Our back yard was never properly graded/retained from the outset ~16 years ago, and we are now stuck with a shady steep hillside that won’t support the turf grass lawn that was initially installed there. Irrigation (under the control of the HOA, not individual homeowners) was not optimal for years, and lawn mowing (also contracted by HOA) has resulted in ruts and erosion from the riding mowers. The slope is so extreme that it is not really usable yard. We have a portion of this hillside already retained within a short boulder wall, within which are three Japanese tree lilacs (installed by developer ~16 years ago) and various shrubs and perennials we have tried growing over the years to fill in that portion and out-compete weeds (we are losing!). The “shade garden” within our short boulder wall is languishing and becoming overtaken by weeds, including sumac which grows prolifically directly behind our property. Sumac, weeds, moss and bare dirt are predominant now in the area outside our bouldered shade garden in what was originally turf grass lawn. Rectifying the situation with proper tiered retaining walls now is out of the question; we are stuck with this extreme slope and only wish to see it planted with something that will out-compete the weeds, sumac, moss, control erosion, and not require mowing. It would not need to be able to handle foot traffic, as the steepness of the slope already keeps people off. We are looking for advice for both areas: what can be planted within the bouldered “shade garden” to accomplish these goals and be at least somewhat pleasing to look at (perhaps a variety?) and what can be planted outside the bouldered shade garden, primarily to control erosion and weed intrusion. The area in question abuts the back property line which runs almost exactly due north/south. East of the property line, designated by the large boulder retaining wall, is heavily wooded. It is shaded in the morning by the tree canopy and in the afternoon by both the canopy and the shadow of our home. The slope begins immediately on the east side of the French drain, pictured. The area in question abuts neighboring property on both north and south sides; many neighbors adjacent to us both north and south have this same problem. It will be a decision by the HOA as to what they will do with the existing languishing turf grass lawn on the slopes at all these properties. We have greater control over what is planted within our shade garden. From my investigations, some plants that might work in the shade garden could be pachysandra, lamium, wild ginger, shade tolerant creeping sedum (variety?). We aren’t hugely in favor of hosta as we have a bunny and deer problem. I’ve tried growing lily of the valley there, and it just is not taking off. The creeping junipers are leggy and not thriving (not enough sun). Ideally, we would want something that is a prolific and easy spreader so that the areas quickly fill in. Photos attached show the area in question in both morning and afternoon light. Appreciate any suggestions for managing this challenging landscape situation. Beth Deam