Off the top of my head, Blue Star juniper that grows short and small, mondo grass, Iris/Japanese Iris. Does the plum yew grow in your zone (I’m in Zone 7b). Here we have the ‘Dukes Plum Yew” which is fuller. I love using it. Fatzia variegated? Lots of rock and pea gravel, simple. Here we have ‘2-man boulders’ which work as ‘seats’ atop a 1=man boulder. Just thoughts...
Blue Start Juniper! Thanks! That grows here, the others you suggested won’t, but I like the idea of a clump of Iris in there, too.
I was also thinking a few of the smaller Hydrangea.
I think this may end up being a Hybrid Japanese/Cottage Garden, LOL!
Meh! Who cares? I’m the one that will be looking at it most of the time, from the kitchen sink window! ;)