Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener: Ground Cover for horrendous site, 1 by momlady

momlady wrote:
Hi everybody,

I have a sunny 45 degree slope that has 2 5 ft. high layers and runs more than 100 feet. I need to stabilize it with a ground cover. The bottom slope\'s \"soil\" is actually hardpan clay with rocks. The top slope\'s soil is regular old clay with rocks. Digging in it is really tough. It\'d be nice to have something growing before the winter rains start (we have dry summers and wet winters).

I was thinking of ways to stabilize the slope:
1. painfully plant lots (hundreds) of ground cover starts like Cotoneaster
2. put lots and lots of seeds (not sure what kind) on the slope and water verrry carefully
3. tack burlap on the slope and plant ground cover starts in holes that I cut in the burlap
4. tack burlap on the slope and somehow embed groundcover seeds in the burlap
5. ???

Anybody have experience with such a challenge? Anybody know of a fast-growing, zone 8 evergreen groundcover that tolerates getting no watering once it is established? Invasive is probably ok because the soil is so bad that nothing can invade, except I draw the line at planting ivy. :-)

Thanks for your suggestions!