The Beth Chatto Handbook - ground covering plants

It is possible to have a great deal of the hard work of keeping the garden clean and tidy done by the plants themselves. This involves planting suitable types which gradually, or rapidly according to needs, cover the ground so densely that few weeds penetrate. Many of these plants are evergreen, or ever-grey, and so provide a welcome furnishing throughout the bleakness of winter.

During the first year the newly planted bed will require some weeding of annuals and small seedlings. But if these are dealt with promptly the next year's weeding will be very much less, and the spaces for weeds rapidly become smaller.