I found a plant last year that I really liked and planted it under my cornus kousa, it was called Leucothoe fontanesian 'Rainbow', mountain laurel. I was looking at it today and it is in full leaf and getting ready to bloom. The leaves
are similar to bay leaves, thick dark green and varigated with white, the flowers are white and the plant has an arching style. It was almost evergreen in my climate, would probably do better in yours. Good luck

what a great idea. I've seen pictures of mountain laurel in bloom and they are so pretty. Thanks for the suggestion!