My dragon's blood sedum (ground cover) only gets about 4-5 inches high, maybe 8 with the flowers, and that's in full sun. It's really hardy, spreads but isn't invasive. It's just starting to bloom in hot pink. Very cool plant. Stone crop gets far larger but keeps a nice globe shape. Mine is now about 18 inches tall and will bloom early August in light pink.


You might get away with a mini rose if you get a little light in there. Those things are tough as nails. Prep the soil a little if it's acidic though. Just mix a bit of topsoil in the planting hole, and add some around its base once in a while, like every spring and that should do it.

Yarrow would probably work, as should asian lilies - monk's hood, toad lily. Turtle head is cool too, sorry that's the common name. Can't recall the botanical name.