Not much is going to be very happy growing under those conditions.....that is just not very hospitable siting nor much room for the vast majortiy of plants. If you are in zone 8, Corokia cotoneaster may be an option. It doesn't care about soils except that they be well draining, will tolerate part sun/shade easily and is evergreen....sort of :-) And can develop a decent height.

Otherwise, placing a container in that location could increase your options significantly. You could plant whatever you like.

Thanks gardengal. I showed a photo and explained the conditions to a local nursery worker and she suggested perhaps rosemary or lavender. Your thoughts on that? I'm just sick of the constant weeds there and would like some greenery.

Rosemary and Lavender need very good drainage and lots of sun. I would dig up some of the stuff in the soil and put a strong container buried up to the soil level and plant something that would grow - evergreen would be best and attractive all year. How about a small conifer or dwarf pine or something like that. You could purchase a pretty good sized one and it would not be super costly. Mulch with leaves or wood chips to finish the look and keep the weeds under control. I am sure some of the conifer people could give you ideas as for size and type.

Sometimes, conditions are just not practical for inground plantings.........this may be one of them :-) A very tight space, inadequate sunlight, poor, gravelly soil. The only thing it has going for it is decent drainage.

I'd lean very heavily towards a planted container. And you don't even need to go to the lengths of burying it....no real need for that in our climate. Or you could use the area to stage some sort of garden art piece.

GG Just what I was thinking ........ GARDEN ART! LOL

How about a fragrant camellia variety?

(do you like pink and frilly? "High Fragrance" might be a variety to look at)

Thujopsis dolabrata 'nana' is a dwarf evergreen, will remain very small, and will have a nice aromatic smell. (It's basically the same species as Hiba cypress in Japan)

Good spot for a statue or fountain. Terrible spot for a camellia or a Hiba.

Maybe a vine. (Kiwi vine?)

How about a climbing rose?

These are as well plants that would require more room and better soil than is provided by the situation shown and described.

Mural.