What about some form of Cottoneaster, Pyracantha and/or Holly? Resilient, good for wildlife, evergreen and east to maintain. All available pretty cheaply as small shrubs from the yellow and green branded supermarket.

These work well for me in an area of pretty poor soil, but they get more sun than the bed you describe.

Any of the small variegated Euonymus, they don't mind dry soil and thrive in sun orshade.

Its a shame its dry, because Sarcococca hookeriana var humilis only gets 2 x 2 feet, but as you know, it does not like dry conditions. Lamiums would work, but they don't look great in the winter, even though they keep their leaves.

I go for trusty euonymus too...
Emerald gaiety is bright even on a dull day and emerald n gold a good foil
They may be simple plants but I like them

I would still go for Sarcococca even though your might need to improve the soil and as its near the house, be prepared to water occasionally. I'm happy to grow and water them in pots next to my backdoor.

Thank you for replying folks, much appreciated.

Euonymus is good and just the job but I already have eight of them (three in a sister bed on the other side of the path,and enough is as good as a feast....

I have a couple of Sarcococcas in pots waiting for me to make my mind up and I did wonder about them. One is humilis and the other looks similar but didn't have a label. Its an ideal spot just by the front door. Maybe I should cart in some compost and make it nicer for one of them.

Yes Lamiums are useful but I want something rather taller.

Unless someone else comes up with a magic idea
I think I'll go with compost digging and Sarcococca.
Thanks again

Andip, I didn't acknowledge your suggestions, sorry. All nice desirable plants but too big for the spot I have in mind. They would get too tall and the roots would knock the retaining wall down...

What about the dwarf Nandina? Nandina domestica 'Fire Power' will grow to about 2'6" and has interest for 3 seasons. Or if you have slightly acidic soil, the variegated Pieris? (again, 3 seasons' interest).

Sheilabub - not enough sun for nandina I'd have thought, and in my experience, it gets 3-4 feet tall.

what about Leucothoe [spelling?] the one I have is called rainbow and it has many colours in its foliage and is happy in some shade in my garden.
I am trying to remember the name of one that looks a little like a holly [variegated leaves]. I'll search through my garden lists.

Bamboo - we have two types of Nandina - one is 6 foot, the other less than 3 feet, and I don't think they rely on sun, but could be wrong.

I would like a Nandina (Firepower)but thought they like a fairly moist soil? I had another spot in mind for one but decided it would be too dry for it?

Sbg its pH 6.5. Don't they need a peaty sort of soil rather than a powdery dry miserable one? (There just isn't enough compost for everybody...)

My Firepower is in a gravel bed, Sue, in quite a sheltered spot against a wall under a window, where it doesn't get much rain. But maybe it would be best to check with an expert!

Yes, I think Leucothoe would be happier in acid soil.

Leucothoe also appreciates more moisture, unfortunately, or at least I've found it does.

Sheilab: RHS listed height for the smaller Nandina is 3/4 feet - I've only ever planted Firepower anyway, one does badly in a dry area with too much shade, just sits there, and the other, in a different garden in better conditions is now just over 3 feet by about 2 feet wide... seems to prefer more sun and damper soil conditions from what I've seen. Though likely the amount of care given by the client regarding water has made a difference!

Whatever you choose, Sue, you might want something around the base? If it was me, I'd have a Prunus ko-jo no mai centre stage, underplanted with Ophiopogon and the magenta-pink perennial Geranium sanguineum. Just to confuse the issue, lol!

I was thinking of geranium and maybe heuchera that hate the sunshine?

Thank you for all your interesting and helpful suggestions - plenty of food for thought.
Prunus Ko-jo mai is lovely isn't it? I put one near the pond last year in spring and then discovered it can get up to five feet but I think it might be too late to move it back a bit. I hadn't thought of one for this spot - it gets no sun at all in the winter but sunny all afternoon in summer. - what do you think?
I hadn't got as far as thinking about underplanting. That spot has had fibrous rooted begonias with polyanthus in spring, and risked some busy lizzies this year - the rain was good for some things-but I guess I'll eventually have to make life easier and cut out the bedding. Hadn't thought of heucheras - that would make a complete change!

None of my Prunus ko-jo mai has grown to more than 2'6" and I've had them for several years. I don't think they're fussy about aspect. Isn't it fun having a planting opportunity?!

That's encouraging! Often its fun but sometimes frustrating. I bought a lovely little red bush yesterday (not for that position) that was supposed to be "tough as old boots" but when I googled it at home afterwards it turned out to be tender! I rang them and they said take it back and exchange it. But so disappointing because I really liked it. (Coprosmia, which lots of people on here have tried and found it not hardy - but too late to find that out after I'd bought it!) I'd decided beforehand on a red leaved Pittosporum and went for the Coprosmia thinking it would be hardier...

It was a good nursery, the biggest in the area, but I won't be asking their advice again!