Recommendation for Ground Cover Plants

Hi There

We have a mound to the front of our garden (as per our planning permission conditions) and planted the top of it with Hazel. Now keen to grow something down the slopes and wondering if anyone would have any recommendations for ground cover plants i.e. want them to grow out and not up. Loads of thistles there at the moment so keen to spray them and then plant the ground cover. Also keen to stick to a native plant.

thanks.

might not suit you but i have a large gravel area I planted up with tiny pots of alpines from BQ and they give the most gorg flowers at this time of year, best thing is they self seed and so get loads of free plants every year. Lady's Mantle and Lambs Ears also grow out and not up. well the lambs ears do sprout but you can cut off the shoots with any damage whatso ever. Also plum puddings, deep purple plants great in clumps, think you can divide them but I haven't needed to yet.

Not sure on the native part........

Well there are loads of good plants for groundcover. I like Vinca - nice blue or white flower and you can get it in two different growing heights, personally I like Vinca Major - grows up to 45 cm in height - evergreen - low care. The minor one is equally lovely but flowers not as significant. You could also try low growing conifers - ie carpet conifers - all sorts of colours and shapes and also evergreen. Alpines are great too - but require a little care and good drainage. You could try a mix of Spring and Summer flowering plants. Just ask at the garden centre for low maintenance and preferably evergreen groundcover.

A few different varieties of heather also make lovely ground cover.

You could also plant a few herbs there - chives, parsley, sage, lavender, etc

Thanks for the replies. Went for contoneaster in the end. Hope to get them all down this weekend so fingers crossed for good weather.