Hellebores, dwarf azaleas, dwarf nandina, heuchera.

Wax or other begonias would be great for those conditions. What about beautiful foliage, like coleus, Caladiums, Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus?) So pretty, flowers aren't necessary.

Torenia will love your conditions. I have a pot on my porch that has evergreen Autumn Fern, Carex Evergold, and blue trailing torenia in it through the summer. In the winter, I take cuttings from the torenia and bring it in. Then Arum Italicum Pictum bulbs come up in the space where the torenia was in summer. It's a beautiful pot.

If you want big plants, the Aucuba should do well. Also hydrangeas (there are smaller cultivars like Pia). You could also try Camellias.

I love the idea of camellias, but I'm scared of them heat-stressing. Thanks guys for all your suggestions! Donnabaskets-- that does sound really nice. I'm thinking of things which are fast-growing so aucuba came to mind (I remember it as being fast growing... I hope I am remembering correctly). Your carex pot idea made me think-- maybe a pot with aucuba and liriope and a second one with hardy begonias like purpleinopp suggested with my sedums and semps at the base? They did fine this summer on my balcony.

I grow both camellia japonicas and sasanquas. I have never known any of them to stress in the heat and they are very drought tolerant too. (A plus in pots, though you should definitely keep them watered, probably daily, in summer.)You could also try the sasanqua camellias. They will take alot (ALOT) of sun (heat) even here in east central Mississippi, but also do well on the north side of my house. I love them. Shishigashira is lovely (rose: low and spreading), as is Snow on the Mountain (white: mounding to about 4 feet. Very dark green foliage.), and Yuletide(red with yellow center: upright, relatively fast growing).

We're likely leaving the country is 4 years or so.. is it worth it to get a camellia or will they be too slow-growing? Also curious as to what size pot your carex arrangement is in. Thanks!