Ground Cover Plant for a Bad Soil

I have a new customer that is a an entire gated housing complex and they have a border that needs de-weeding and filling with a ground-cover plant that isn't too invasive i.e. won't spead into grass or the property below (there is a 3ft wall seperating the properties).

The border is litlerally on a 45 degree slope, so very well drained and pretty dry as it doesn't doesn't get a lot of rain because of the shelter of houses right next to it. It doesn't seem to get more than a brief shimmer of sunlight very early in the morning.

The border's about 30 metres long and 4 metres in depth and Periwinkle (Vinca minor) was suggested but I'm open to ideas of other plants that would provide ground cover and keep the weeding to a minimum. What would be your preference in these conditions as they're pretty harsh?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

What about hardy geraniums? I have a pale pink flowering one which seems to quadruple in size every year. Stated off with one plant and now have about 8 that size.
Or a lowish growing lavender? Maybe heathers? They don't grow that fast though.

 

Hardy Geraniums - I stupidly never thought of that but you're right, they certainly provide good cover, spread well and seem tough enough. They flower a lot longer than the spring time Periwinkles, so may be a better alternative. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

That's ok! I think mine is 'wargrave pink'. I've noticed it is a lot more vigorous than the others I have.

 

If you're thinking of hardy Geraniums, have a look at Geranium macrorrhizum. It's a tough little plant, it holds on to most of its leaves through the winter (unlike most other hardy geraniums), it's very good at covering the ground and smothering weeds, it doesn't mind a bit of shade and its pink flowers are much loved by bees.

 

Here's mine planted under a rose called 'for your eyes only'. Photo from last June.