Any Landscaping plants that don't need Mulch to control weeds for Indiana?

In live near Indy. I managed to kill most of my English ivy by accident, so I have 20 feet x 2 feet of bare soil to work with.



The ivy did a good job at preventing grass and weeds from popping up, but apparently English Ivy is an invasive species in Indiana. I suppose I should find something else. Plus it will take a few years for the few ivy vines to repopulate that large area.



Are there any ground covers or plants that may fill this area and not require a bunch of mulch or weeding. Hostas are a possibility, but the dog tends to beat them up.



Plox maybe? Flowers?



I guess I need to find something thick enought and tall enough to prevent weed growth. Thanks.

Any Landscaping plants that don't need Mulch to control weeds for Indiana?
Look at Ajuga or Vinca Minor (periwinkle). Both are good groundcovers and a better substitute for the English Ivy.
Reply:I'm not a garden expert, no where near, but I live in Indiana and I was thinking of ornamental grasses.
Reply:Creeping Phlox is an excellent idea...maybe add some decorative rocks/pebbles to accent and cover some of the ground...

If you want different varieties of plants, you can always use weed barrier (the thick cloth that keeps weeds from coming up) around them and put rocks/pebbles over that...

my fish