Classic advice for poolside plantings is to avoid prickly plants, junipers are prickly although there might be some that are less so. You are going to have to crawl around to weed, so even up higher on the slope prickly things might be a problem.
How about this Verbena from Annie's annuals, a local vender for you. Annie's also has a nice search tool. I also thought of Helianthemum, around here they are sometimes used in parking lots, so your tough spot might be perfect.
http://www.anniesannuals.com/p...
