Skip the Solomon's Seal and dwarf hydrangea (unless a dwarf oakleaf or a paniculata, like Little Lime). Japanese barberries come in great colors - burgundy, red, copper, gold. Also smokebush, ninebark, scads of dwarf conifers, Pieris japonica (many variegated choices and perfectly happy in PNW sun with enough water).

For perennials, look at heucheras and heucherellas, euphorbias, all manner of ornamental grasses........

Lots of great nurseries and garden centers in the Vancouver - Portland area. I'd take a day trip tour and see what's available. I'm sure you'll be hugely inspired :-)

Thanks gardengal48. Yep, H. Little Lime was exactly what I was considering.

There's a stunning display at the Ft. Vancouver Library downtown of a row of dwarf Nandina behind which is a row of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'.

I'm going to look at more commercial landscaping in the area to get some ideas.