We live on the top of a pretty steep slope and we have these huge shrubs that help control erosion, but that we HATE. I want to remove them and replace them with something that doesn't require quite so much maintenance.

First, does anyone know what this plant is? It has green/purple leaves and it is super hardy- no matter how much we prune it back it is overgrown in what seems like minutes.

Second, any suggestions for a zone 7b replacement that is visually smaller yet will still provide the erosion control that these do quite well?