what can I plant to provide ground cover for a long narrow strip of earth

[jumblies]

I have long narrow strip of earth which borders nextdoors driveway (it runs the length of my drive). I have some bulbs which can go in there but I need some plants to provide ground cover to stop weeds growing.

I have cleared the area and want to plant something now. I am a complete dunce and have no idea what to put here and if you are supposed to do this in autumn or have to wait till spring. I am expecting a baby at the end of december and can't imagine I will have that much time for planting in spring time

Please help me transform this horrible weedy patch into something vaguely attractive!

[jumblies]

oh the strip is in semi shade. I did think aubretias? but they are sun loving aren't they?

[murderonthemidnightexpress]

When you say ground cover, do you want something very low growing? And does it get a lot of sun? I'm growing ajuga, which spreads very happily and roots as it goes. You can get it in variegated forms and some with bronze coloured leaves, an dit has nice purple flowers - looks lovely mixed up with something like lamium 'silver beacon', which is also good as ground cover. But my garden is pretty wet and rather shady, so not sure how that would all do in a very sunny spot.

If you want something a bit bushier (perhaps not if you have bulbs too), I find that some the hardy geraniums are good -they grow like weeds in my garden, flower all summer and are really easy to divide. I planted three tiny weeny bits in my border this summer and had great mounds by the end of the summer.

[murderonthemidnightexpress]

X-posts. There you go then!

Ye, I think aubretias like a fair bit of sun, as they're alpines. Having said that, I have one growing fairly happily in part-shade. Others you might consider are campanualas (again, they prefer sun, but mine is growing happily in a shady courtyard), creeping jenny (there is a nice one called 'aurea' that has lime green/yellow leaves).

[jumblies]

thanks murder, yes I wanted some low plants as the tulips etc can poke up it. Can I get hold of these plants now and put them in this week?

[Scrubber]

I like Pachysandra terminalis for ground cover.

[murderonthemidnightexpress]

Yes, they're all pretty widely available, and are evergreen. They're often used for winter bedding so you should be fine. They probably won't grow much until next spring now, but should go like the clappers once things warm up.

[Mybox]

Lavender would be nice

[jumblies]

thanks for the suggestions will write them down and head out later. I have some lavender at the top already mybox but thanks

Am feeling much more positive about dealing with this ugly patch of earth!!

[Pannacotta]

I'd suggest Pachysandra as Scrubber said, or Geranium macrorrhizum which has evergreen foliage and pink or white flowers in May.
Both good in semi shade and you need evergreen cover to keep weeds at bay really.

[Jux]

Camomile lawn?