Hello from North Alabama! I am hoping to get some good suggestions for a perennial flowering ground cover to plant around our fire pit. We are in zone 7b, and I would like to find something that will form a thick mat to prevent weeds. The location is in full sun. I would love to hear some suggestions from gardeners who know a lot more about this than I do. I'm posting a picture of the area. Notice the deer tracks in the flower beds. I guess I need something that the deer won't bother. Thanks for any help you can give!