Suggestions for preventing weeds yet wont harbor moisture?

Hello,

Along the front of our house from the driveway to the front steps is a small area, roughly 10ft by 5 ft that my wife wants to plant flowers. This is the North side of the house and does not get much sun so the ground rarely gets a chance to dry out. The basement wall right at this site has effloresence that I think is likely from moisutre instrusion through the foundation brick wall. The last thing I want is to put material for weed control that will harbor moisture in the ground. We had cedar mulch there for several years and it seemed to keep the ground very wet and I think that may be contributing to the basement problem.

Ill take any suggestions for materials that help prevent weeds yet allow moisture to move. Im thinking weed fabric with topsoil overtop, graded away from the house. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks :thumbsup: