Inexpensive ground cover for steep bank

I'm an absolute newbie to this forum and have very little gardening experience.
The back garden of my house has a steep bare bank that has had an overgrown Laurel hedge cut down to its stumps and two old apple trees at the bottom. The bank is 16 metres long, the slope is 3 metres long. It faces North West and I'm uploading a photo taken at just after 7:30pm tonight.
Please will the team suggest what inexpensive ground cover plant or plants I should buy to provide ground cover for the bank and any planting advice they think appropriate.
Many thanks in advance.
Mike

 

Hi Mike - just tagging this thread as I have the same problem for the mother in laws garden . I am sure there will be some excellent suggestions over the next few days from the GC members

 

Hi Harry. I do hope we get some suggestions. If I select Vinca Minor for ground cover my novice estimate is that I will need some 50 plants at from £5 each. Ouch!

 

Ajuga reptans?
I grow this as it's a fast growing plant for ground cover. You could get away with buying less plants and they would soon cover your bank.

 

Thanks Mandy , that looks good Also was in the local nursery on Sunday and they stock it ! I'll buy a few this weekend . Do you know how they perform in a shady spot ?

 

I've got them growing in the shade of my very large oak tree. In the summer it's in the shade for most of the day. As a guide I pulled some of the Ajuga reptans 'Atroprupurea' up from a dense area late last summer and transplanted it elsewhere in the garden. It's now 5 times the size! I also have a pink variety with lighter colour leaves which isn't quite so fast growing but still good ground cover.
Ajuga reptans 'Purple Torch':

 

I bought the 2 varieties of Ajuga below from a nursery near my work yesterday , only £1.10 each so very good value. I'll plant them today at the mother in laws - full sun , and in a shady corner of my garden under a red robin shrub. They are very nice looking plants - cheers for the tip Mandy I'll also plant some creeping jenny and see how that fares.
Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea'
Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow'

 

I also have some creeping jenny growing in the same part of the garden. It also grows very well, though I keep pulling it up thinking it's a weed.

 

Geraniums might do well in that area:

Geranium Dusky Crug


Geranium Patricia:


Geranium Rozanne:

 

Hi Mike,

Just caught up with your comment about Vinca, it shouldn't cost you that much, once established it's like a weed and you must know people who already have it and would be glad to give you cuttings. I dig out loads every year. Don't know if you're in Wales (guessing from your I.D.) but if so Vinca does really well in our damp climate.