• Invasive plants make good ground covers on steep slopes.ivy image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com
  
  Gardening on steep slopes is a challenge on it's own but it's made even more difficult in northern climates with harsh winters. Having ground cover plants that can withstand Wisconsin's Zone 2b to 6a winters and involve little maintenance is the key to controling soil erosion and weeds. This is the type of gardening where invasive plants work well in the landscape.
  
  

Vinca Minor

• Choose vinca minor for a ground cover that blooms.vinca spring flowering carpet image by starush from Fotolia.com
  
  Choose vinca minor if you want a ground cover that has some bloom in the spring. The predominant color of flowers is blue-purple. This evergreen plant grows about 3 feet in a season and is considered an invasive plant because it will end up in areas you hadn't intended. This trait makes it a perfect option for a steep slope where you don't want to do much maintenance. It grows well in zones three to eight and prefers shady areas. Planting in full sun will not give you the best growth and coverage on a slope.
  
  

Ajuga

• Opt for this evergreen ground cover in zones three to nine. Ajuga grows quickly into a dense mat and adapts well to either shade or sun but prefers a shady area with moist soil. In the spring, ajuga sends up blue-violet flower spikes so you'll have some color on your slope. The oval foliage grows in a rosette pattern and spreads out using its shallow roots. You can choose a variety mix of bronze beauty, jungle beauty and rubra for different leaf coloring.
  
  

English Ivy

• Ivy is a good choice to cover a slope quickly.ivy image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com
  
  Pick English ivy as a ground cover for your steep slope when you want to control soil erosion. It does well in part shade to full sun and adds texture and color to your slope without asking for a lot of maintenance. English ivy is another invasive plant and grows up the banks of hills easily. this evergreen ground cover is cold hardy to about -20 degrees which is zone four on the USDA hardiness map. This plant prefers soils that are well-aerated and have good drainage. In times where the soil remains consistently wet, English ivy is susceptible to root rot and may die out.
  
  

Blue Rug Juniper

• Blue rug juniper is a slow grower but helps with soil erosion.junipers and leaves image by Jon Yuschock from Fotolia.com
  
  Opt for this evergreen ground cover for a low maintenance plant that spreads slowly. It's cold hardiness includes just zone six in Wisconsin. Blue rug juniper grows to a height of 4 to 6 inches and prefers full sun. While it is the slowest grower of all the junipers, it works well for controlling soil erosion and weeds. It has dense foliage that's silver blue. It does tend to hold leaves that have fallen as well as any bits of blown branches or foliage from other plants.