Need ground cover suggestions

[glenforest]

I used to have two large beds of ivy growing on the slope between the back yard and the patio. It was planted there when we bought the house 32 years ago and has been there ever since. Cold winters sometimes made it die back, but it always survived and grew back. Until now. The last couple of winters gave us some below zero temperatures without snow cover, and last year we had some summer drought. And now the ivy is about 99% kaput.

Before



After



I could put more ivy back there and hope for another 30 years, but I thought I would check around for alternatives since this is pretty much a blank canvas now. The space is about 50 feet by 7 feet.

I'm looking for low maintenance, spreading but not too invasive toward the lawn above, evergreen would be nice. So far the typical choices--pachysandra, myrtle, ivy--haven't excited me too much.

Anybody have any better suggestions?

[ken-n-nancy]

Personally, I think the ivy looks awesome! One of my favorite aspects of seeing lawns in Pittsburgh was the common use of ivy as a groundcover as in your first photo. Relatively low maintenance on a significant slope that would be extremely difficult to mow or tend closely by hand.

[ENVY23]

Blue Rug Juniper?

[beargarden2756]

Georgia blue speedwell?

[73Chall]

+ 1 on replies preceding and I'll add ....

VERONICA !!!