A Daphne would do well there and it is evergreen and blooms in the winter and is very fragrant. Al

Gardenia veitchi (evergreen shrub) & vinca minor (groundcover), some spring bulbs like daffodils or muscari to poke up through the vinca.

Becky

Campanula muralis is one of my favorite ground covers. There's a variety called 'Dickerson's Gold' with more yellow foliage.
Liriope 'Silver Dragon' looks good with maples and azaleas
Azara microphylla

wanda

Camellias, hydrangeas, gardenias.

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

I'm starting to get excited about this.

The Azara is such a great choice that I'd never heard of. A few questions -- How fast a grower is it? Will the roots be okay near the house? Some sites are saying it's a coastal plant, others say it's very hearty. Can it handle the heat of a burbank summer?

Thanks again,

Michael

It should be fine according to this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: azara

I find my two camelias are quite hardy - and will take some sun (if not too hot). The foliage is always beautiful and blossoms a plus.

The vinca is Ok - but very, very invasive after a few years, and builds up a thick thatch that must be cleared. Although good for problem spots.

Fortnight lily is hardy in zone 9 and 10 and well-behaved. Tam junipers (any size) - and well-behaved, tho slow growing.

I'd stay away from gardenia - unless you want a challenge. They seem to like more heat in the cooler zones, but are tempermental in my opinion. Mine wouldn't grow well - until I decided to neglect it!

Just my 2 c's.

Bejay