Hi - You could try artemesia,silver grey!
Goodluck, Mistee

Kind of a vague question. What kind of height are you looking for? Color of foliage? Many plants have variegated forms available.

Purpleinopp: I don't want a bush but something short to medium height I was admiring a Bruennera[sp] but that needs shade

Dwarf cannas

Dwarf bananas, tho most get 5' or more

Some dwarf alocasia, California being a very good choice but there are a few others, many will not get big the first year year, odora, portadora,Yucatan princess, Zulu mask Mayan mask, but will get big in the future.

Some colocasia can handle full sun and stay reasonable small too
Kona coffee, black coral, pineapple princess, blue Hawaii, and many more.

Sorry I'm not more help I like BIG foliage plants!

You might like Sedums. The roundish leaves are usually interesting shades of purple and blue. Maybe an interesting-looking grass. Yarrow? Dusty miller, Artemesia, Lychnis.

This post was edited by purpleinopp on Wed, May 22, 13 at 15:14

Did you find any good plants this year, Finch?

Euphorbia and sedum varieties work in my dry sunny areas. I have a hibiscus with dark reddish, purple leaves( cannot recall the name) that does well in a moist ,sunny area. There are a few perennial hibiscus that have dark leaves. Casttor bean(ricinus) has large, deeply lobed leaves in red and purples.