Dianthus would be my first thought, but if this is under the overhang of the house, almost anything planted there will need irrigation/watering.

I think a border of lavender, would look lovely, spilling over the path.

I'm very interested in the new dwarf phlox. I've seen two varieties : Bambini and Forever Pink. They ar 15 - 16 inches tall I would think they would fit in an area that size. If the overhang is too great, you would definitely have to be aware of their water needs.

Thanks all! I couldn't come to a decision (and the idea that perennials might not ever work here resonated), so I'm going with a bunch of pansies for this season and will circle back next fall.

I know nothing about your climate but even in mine pansies wouldn't be happy in what passes for full hot sun here. I think you’ll need to find a different annual.

Hi, I think both Catmints and Siberian Irises will be good flowering low maintenance perennials for a sunny border. I have them available, DM me if interested.

^^ And both of those will grow far too large to be squeezed into a 16" deep planting bed. The catmint will almost instantly be spilling onto the walkway!

Profusion zinnias may be your best bet.

tj

Low sedums is what I'd do. Too narrow for anything else.

Your pansies will look great until Memorial Day then you'll need to replace them with marigolds or vinca.

There are some dwarf cat mints such as Purrsian Blue that remain quite small (too small for my garden!) and may suit your purpose. Also, don’t forget that many “annuals” are perennials in their own zones (we merely grow them as annuals) and there is nothing inherent in a perennial plant that makes it wrong for this spot.

posting some pictures of some different perennials that would tolerate a hot, dryish site and not grow too large for your purposes.

variegated liriope. Flowers once per year. Attractive foliage year round.

golden oregano. Will fill in whatever space it has. It does flower but they aren’t super showy. Quite nice. I have it throughout my gardens.

dianthus, as I mentioned earlier. There are varieties grown as annuals that can function as perennials if they like the spot, or you can go with the intended perennial varieties.

Or go ahead and do annuals! I just wanted to encourage you not to completely shut off the idea of perennials unless thats what you want to do. :)

I had a similar bed at my last house (hot Texas full sun) and did a mix of some already mentioned: Zinnia ‘Profusion’ and dianthus, as well as a salvia that stayed small (ask at nursery for recommendations, I can’t remember the variety), and I mixed dwarf fountain grass in ... which, yes, did spill over a bit, but is soft to brush by.

There are also some compact lantanas that don’t get as big and sprawling as the common perennial varieties, but thrive in tough conditions. Annual portulaca is low-growing and can take harsh conditions. This Gaura stays compact, and they’re tough.

You could also go ‘up’ with a trellis or obelisk and have a vine such as Mandevilla.

I would plant things with varying heights and texture instead of one long row of the same thing.

I’m sorry, but pansies aren’t going to last long in that bed. I wouldn’t waste the time or money on planting those.

ETA — I thought of another great plant:

Oenothera LEMON DROP is a super tough perennial and wouldn’t get too big. This is mine:

Be sure to consider termites. They are rampant here in NC! My home inspector suggested that I pull and cut back the plants that the previous owner had At the foundation. Some of it is ivy so I have to keep on top of it. You do not want to inadvertently create a problem.

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/termites-preventing-problems-in-existing-homes

Circling back almost a year later... After giving up and going with annuals for last year, I spent the intervening 12 months looking at what neighbors were doing with their south facing walls. Learning from that, as well as some advice above, I went with Sedum. Some Autumn Joy for some hight, then some Firecracker stonecrop for spread. Will keeps folks updated on how it does through the summer.

Thanks for all the advice!

Sedum is a good choice - sun and drought tolerant. Hopefully the Autumn Joy won’t be too tall and therefore floppy. Keep trimming it back till July 4 or so to keep it bushy rather than lanky.