I have read your various postings and think of you as a more experienced gardener than I am, but I am going to list plants that come to mind that I think are native or near-native. Barren strawberry, maryland goldenaster, 'Gro-Lo' Rhus aromatica,Potentilla tridentata,Eragrostis elliotii,the amazingly drought tolerant birds foot violet.
My 'Laurin' goldenrod bloomed beautifully at about a foot but I took off the dead stems and have a flat clump of leaves less than 4 inches high.

Thanks, Bogturtle, for your kind words.

Your post made me realize that part of my answer is growing in the area already: violets! In addition, someplace on the property I have the barren strawberry that I could divide - now if I just could remember where it is.

I looked at the golden aster which seems very interesting, as does the grass and will consider both.

Rhus aromatica "gro-low" is already planted on the area that slopes down from the area I want to plant, together with coralberry, but neither can be mowed and I need to cut that area low so the dogs can play there in the winter.

Again, thanks for your input.

We put a big room on the back of the house and two sides are, basically, lawn, but the one side has grown up a mix (weeds) that I string trim and mow. Some of the plants would be beautiful groundcovers, if they were solid, but I do not know how to encourage them over more aggressive sorts. Stumbled upon and interesting website, this morning, called 'Little Prince of Oregon Nursery'. Enjoyed looking at their lists.

have you given any thought to ornamental grasses? I have about 80 grass plants that do great in heavy clay soil. I have them anchoring a steep slope that is off my driveway. The deer don't seem to eat them and in summer when the foliage is dense it looks very nice. The plants provide nice winter interest - I cut them in the early spring.