Question
I am afraid to do anything to my backyard because of the grade.  My house sits on top of a hill in a subdivision where houses are fairly close together.  My garage is around the back of the house, thus I have a paved driveway.  Then the slope starts from the side of the driveway as I circle around the house on downward.  The end of my yard meets a small brush area that I do not own.  I think steps would be a nice addition (natural looking, but I don't like steps that go straight down and I don't know what kinds of heights of trees, grasses, shrubs that would make an interesting design.  I live in Northwestern part of Virginia.    I have tried to help myself, but really don't know where to start to make an interesting backyard.  The dimensions are about 100 X 50.  Thank you for any help you might give.

Answer
If I were in your shoes, I'd start by going to the library and looking for books on landscape design for a sloping lot.  There are several by Ortho & Sunset (Meredith Books).  

If there are none there, go to Home Depot or Lowes and root around in their magazine section.  Lots of pictures and illustrations that may help you out.  There should be one or two stairs options, as it would be very difficult to treat a slope without them.

If you are STILL feeling overwhelmed, then maybe tis time to look in the phone book under "landscape designer" or "landscape architect".  I personaly know there are LOTS of them in Virginia (I am certified as a Landcape Architect in that Commowealth).

It also sounds like you may have a draiange problem that may need some attention.

Trees, shrubs, and groundcovers are the last item on the list of a design.  You need to think in terms of "How do I want to use this space?", first.

~Marc