You might take a look at the Grow Native website to find something that would take no maintenance at all and do well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Native Mo. Groundcovers

Sounds like you have a similar situation as PamCrews. She's also trying to plant on a slope by the lake. I wonder what she decided to plant.

There are two Sunset Hillside Landscaping books by two different authors. I've seen the one by Susan Lang and it had lots of beautiful photos and ideas in it. It made me wish I had a big hill. There is also one by Hazel White which I haven't seen. The books would help with design and how-to but as for what specific plants to plant, local advice is best. Natives are a good idea as Gldno mentioned. They're better adapted to our climate.

Which direction does your slope face and how much sun does it get?
I would be tempted to walk or boat around the area and see what other people have done on their slopes that face the same direction so you can see what does and doesn't work. Some of them may irrigate with automatic watering systems.

I tried a couple of ground covers but they weren't very drought tolerant and had to be watered regularly in July and August - but I was planting in dappled shade under trees where there was competition from tree roots. I tried a couple times to get ajuga going and it wouldn't live even with my watering. Lamium did great for awhile and spread and then it just disappeared for some reason.

Best of luck with your hill. What a beautiful area you are in! Glad you found the Ozarks forum. Please feel welcome to ask more questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sunset Hillside Landscaping

Thanks so much to both of you. My slope faces mostly East and gets full sun for most of the day. We've cut down a few trees to get the most from our view. Your suggestion to boat around is a good one and I will do that. Thanks for the links. I'll do more researching and eventually let you know what's been working. Thank you for the nice welcome to the area and the gardenweb also.
Kim