More info needed. First of all, I assume BayArea means a California location?

Are you looking to plant a shrub? Annuals? Flowering perennials? A groundcover?

You say it’s a shady spot - is there irrigation in this spot? Or are you committed to hand-watering often?

Whoa - your tree looks like it is crowded by the house and bay window. Would a pomegranate tree do better with more space and sun? IF you move the tree check with a nursery for perennial part sun plants to fill in the space. Indigenous plants may work but the garden center and some research will fill in details if they are a buffet for wildlife or will take over your yard. The soil in the area will need a lot of remediating since it is foundation fill, but who doesn’t like a good day of digging and hauling or watching someone else. 🥵

For some reasons I get San Ramon vibes.

There is a difference between morning sun and afternoon sun. Research plants for dry shade in California. Go to a local nursery, not a big box store. We installed a drip system on a timer and recommend.

I would put in some stepping stones to reach the spigot and plant the rest. Anything with flowers will attract nice pollenators.

This is California - San Francisco Bay Area. The soil definitely needs fixing. I’m open to moving the tree. Sounds like natives is all that will survive there. How about non plant feature - we once had a water feature but it was a pain to maintain.

Hostas and Huecheras are not native and should do fine as long as they are protected from hot afternoon sun. Western Sword Fern.

A birdbath would be nice and seen from the window but would still require frequent scrubbing with white vinegar and fresh refills to protect the birds from pathogens.

A floating solar fountain for it does not need much light.

Because this patch is viewed from the dining-room bay window, I would design it from inside out before choosing plants. Mark a full-size 30–36 in access path to the spigot and around the tree with tape, hose, or flattened boxes, then view it from the dining table at breakfast and late afternoon. That will show whether the focal point belongs centered on the window or slightly off-axis.

For a low-maintenance non-water feature, test one simple object at full scale: a sculptural stone, a weatherproof ceramic vessel with no pump, or a small seat with a clear back. Keep enough bare space around it that the composition reads from indoors, and avoid adding many small ornaments. Stepping stones can make the service route intentional rather than looking like leftover space.

Before moving the pomegranate, have a local nursery or arborist identify whether it is a fruiting cultivar and assess roots, available sun, and the foundation clearance. Do not compact or excavate its root zone based only on the visible trunk. Once the layout is fixed, confirm that soil and edging still drain away from the house, then place drip irrigation to match the final planting rather than routing it first.