Cool, we're virtual neighbors! I live in Opp, where they have a rattlesnake rodeo every year, hundreds of locally-caught snakes. Non-poisonous snakes are welcome, I like them as much as anyone, but creating any habitat that snakes might like to visit would definitely include visits from rattlesnakes & cottonmouths. We see enough of those w/o having taller ground covers in which to hide.
Totally agree, I'm trying to take care of the land - and air - by reducing the running of the mower to tend our property, in areas that aren't flower beds. Most of the "grass" (which consists of about 15 diff kinds of grass, and at least 30 other kinds of plants,) will be eliminated for beds, but it's unfortunately not practical for every inch of property to be a bed, unless we win a lottery & could install concrete or brick paths for walkways. Until that wonderful day, replacing entities that need to be mowed with those that don't seems like the best option.
Some Selaginellas might be useful:
http://garden.org/plants/searc...
