Euphorbias to the rescue! This group of plants will stay evergreen, will help hold the soil, are drought resistant and come in many sizes and forms. They also re-seed and spread to cover a hillside. Sedum Angelina would make a great golden groundcover around the ankles of the Euphorbia. For dirt cheap shrubs look for the low growing blue rug or blue star junipers and perhaps a purple smoke tree or two. Now you will have color contrast from foliage in blue and purple with the lime green blooms of euphorbia. Add some boulders instead of more bushes in areas that are hard to plant. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti