perennial ground cover

Hi there,
I am a new member, and would appreciate some suggestions as to plants I could grow from seed, to provide perennial ground cover on a strip of dry poor soil (2ft wide x 18 ft long) at the base of a long established privet hedge. The hedge roots grow into the area, and quite close to the surface in places, so that planting pockets would have to dug out as required. I am hoping for something that would spread out and cover the whole soil surface eventually.
Thanks in anticipation.

 

The problem with any sort of ground cover plant in the border you describe would be lack of nutrients and moisture, all of which are taken by the hedge. You would face an additional problem when cutting the hedge as you would have to stand on the planting, and the trimmings would drop all over. A better solution might be a membrane covered with shingle or similar. You would need to put a catching sheet over the shingle when cutting. If you really want planting, then a small leaved varigated ivy or creeping dead nettle are both pretty robust, but you would have to keep them under control so they didn't climb up the hedge.

 

What about Aubretia.
It is surface creeping. Does not need much in the way of moisture or nutrients.

 

Acaena inermis 'Purpurea' could be suited if the light conditions are favourable ... i.e sun/semishade but research a bit further

http://www.perennials.com/seeplant.html?item=1.005.150

hardy and can be walked on .... I have read that some people have planted this plant instead of lawn and they mow it with a lawnmower

 

Geranium Macrorrhizum is a great one for a shady or part shady spot, never grown from seed but grows so easily from cuttings, just been propogating mine for my woody area, spreads by rhizomes but you can make lots of plants very quickly by just breaking off a bit of the fleshy rhizome and sticking it in a pot of compost 3 weeks later the plants are all rooted, evergreen and takes on a lovely red tinge in autumn also the leaves are scented when crushed, smothers weeds and pink or white flowers in spring, completely trouble free, I think I love this plant

 

Re: Ground cover

Hi ,
Thanks to everyone who replied.I would prefer to have some colour, but at least I can now explore a few options, and possibly combine a couple of your suggestions.