You know, that's a really compact clump of yucca- instead of fighting it, why not use it along with the cedar and other shrub as winter backbone? They do have nice fragrant white blooms in summer. If it were spread out or a huge clump, i'd fuss with it, but if you're wanting to make life simple... leave it be. I'd say it depends on the compost whether you till it in. If it seems like it has a good bit of earthy stuff for the plants to dig into, then no, but if it's more top dressing stuff, perhaps till in half and top with compost. The quality can vary year to year and by the time of year, depending on what they are shredding and composting. If you're in wake co, you will need to find a truck/hauler to haul it for you, but the compost itself is fairly cheap- like 30 a big truckload full. City runs 2 for 1 specials sometimes, too. Meaning pay for 1 load, get the second free that same day- but you'd still need to pay for hauling. You could do a lasagna type bed- layer on newspaper, ect, and build up with out messing with tilling at all. There's been a good bit posted about it, and there are at least 2 books. It really does work if you have a little patience/time. There is a thread for the swap on the exchanges forum. It should have the where what when info- tho i can tell you quickly it's may 8th, at white deer park in garner. Doesn't matter if you're a newb. We always have some. Just bring some good food and anything you have to spare that you think gardeners could use- pots, hoses, rocks, etc. Even shallow boxes would be appreciated as folks always need them to haul away their new found goodies.

Have you considered allysum? I know it isn't a perenial, but it does reseed itself quite easily, and comes in a variety of colors. There is also viola. I have a variety in my garden, I believe its "King Edward." It is a velvety dark purple with bright yellow centers. It spreads quickly, (its even spilling into the lawn!) but I am not sure if this is from reseeding or root runners. Either way it's beautful. I have mine growing in full sun with no problems, even during dry, hot weather. They started blooming in the spring and are still going strong.

What about Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)? I see it in a few catalogues. My wild plant book says it likes moist woodlands, but it grows wild around here in dry, sandy, poor soil and always amongst the trees. I love it because you get the foiliage, then the flower and then great fall color with the red berry clusters and the leaves turn red as well. I'd say it would be low maintenence once its established, but by the sounds of things it takes a while for it to get there. It seems to form a nice carpet, although I've never grown it in the garden, we just have a lot of it growing wild around here. I might try transplanting some this year to go under my shrubs in the garden . This link to another GW forum had some propagation info. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/natives/msg080038167578.html?9 Here is a link that might be useful: Bunchberry

Purple verbena. Very low growing mat forming. I'm also in zone 9 and the plants have been blooming non-stop, even a little in the winter.