It's a poplar groundcover here, especially the cultivar 'Platt's Black'. I've used it in several client designs and thinking seriously about using it to surround pavers in my new grass-less garden. It covers rapidly but never too aggressively and is easy to remove if it starts to encroach where not wanted. it is fully evergreen (or everblack) in my climate and in bare feet, feels like you are walking on a pile of soft feathers. Which is exactly what it looks like. I think it's luscious!!

Excellent info @gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)...thank you. I passed along your post to the gardener in question.