Lavender munstead dwarf would be great, but you're right, you'd have to remember to trim it over at the right times. Otherwise, Campanula muralis, helianthemums, Iberis sempervirens, Oreganum aureum (herb and yes you can cook with it, makes a great yellow patch all summer long), Hebe Green Globe, Hebe 'youngii', Geranium 'Wargrave's Pink', Liriope, Ophiopogon nigrescens and even Heucheras may do well there, there should be enough shade.

Bamboo. I like herbs. A few years ago, we had some rosemary bushes in the garden, but I became 'bored' with them and dug them up! I cringe now when I think of it! How often do you have to trim the lavender munstead dwarf, as I could 'manage' once a year!

Hmm well, I do it twice - once after the first main flush of flowers is over, and then again in September, or thereabouts, cutting off some leaf as well to keep a good shape. And your rosemary would probably have got too big - none of them are small plants, so don't feel badly about it!