What can I plant in my north facing bed?

[milkymill]

It's in the corner of my front garden, and is a reasonably sized semi-circular sort of shape. I've finally de-weeded and dug it over and now just need to get something in thee before the weeds take over again!
I want plants/shrubs that will give good ground cover, but not too tall, and nothing that won't withstand my absolute -stupidity- novice status when it comes to gardening! I was thinking along the lines of heather? Haven't a clue what else though. Also - should I out some sort of mulch down and maybe rocks? Thanks in advance .

Lily of the valley, hostas, ferns as perennials. Busy lizzies are great in the shade too.

Ferns, hellebores, anenomes.
Look on www.crocus.co.uk where you can search for plants for shady/sunny borders etc.

is it in shade, dry? wet?? what sort of weeds were thriving?

Thanks for these; all very helpful. It's not shaded really, it gets morning sun. I've no idea about which weeds they were - just seemed to be every bloody one going! A fair bit of meadow grass I think... oh and lots of these annoying plants that I have no idea what they are. They grow really tall, have thin stems, and have small purply/pink flowers. Thet seem to take over everyones garden like Triffids!
Any tips on ground cover?

Periwinkle, otherwise known as vinca minor, is best for ground cover in shade. Pretty variegated leaves and mauve flowers. Your biggest problem will be keeping it back.

You could also use geraniums (the old-fashioned cottage garden type, not pelargoniums) as ground cover. A lot of them are shade-tolerant. Try geranium rheum (I think?) or geranium striatum.

For the back of the bed, try euphorbias, heuccheras, tiarellas - all shade-tolerant and don't need much watering and very hardy.

Oh, I've got periwinkle - it goes a bit mental but is great ground cover.

Thanks very much for those

Oh dear - have just planted some heather in it! I have no idea what sort of ph the soil is; will it help if I stick some peat on it?

it may help the heather for a minute or two but won't do much for your Green credentials. And it won't help the heather in the long term. Just plant round the heather, the other stuff will grow over and round it.