Berginia is a good year round ground cover plant, eliminates weeds, welcomes watering early spring before it flowers, otherwise doesnt need any special care at all.

Perennial geraniums - very many varieties to choose from, mostly blues but some pinks and a few whites. Some like full sun and some half shade.

Euonymus fortunii is a low growing hardy shrub with cheerful variegated leaves that needs virtually no maintenance - just cut off bits that grow where you don't want them.There are silver and gold varieties.

Astilbes, happiest if if the ground is on the moist side but tolerant and carefree. Pinks,red or white.

Crocosmia (Lucifer is a brilliant scarlet and gorgeous) looks after itself - just heave out what you don't want if the clump gets bigger than you need.

Ferns are good in a shady area and there even a few that don't mind a dry spot.

And lots of Spring bulbs of course!

thank you both will pass on the ideas. the only thing she has been able to keep (except weeds) is passion flower, it only gets watered when it rains too!

Hope some of these are successful then!