Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia) is money in the bank as far as ground covers are concerned, at least in Los Angeles. It grows in partial sun or shade and is eminently controllable, although it does need, as the literature says, "regular water." But so what? Plants that do not require "regular water," such as gazania, are overwatered to the point that they die from soil fungus that enters their roots, so why not go with a ground cover that is impervious to overwatering?
Here's a picture:

A caveat: in the dry Southwest, moneywort grows just fine but in wetter climates it grows like mad and becomes an invasive pest. 'Aurea' is a gold-leafed variety.
Moneywort is composed of two words. "Money" refers to the round, coin-shaped leaves and "wort" means root, herb, or plant in old English.


