It looks as if you’re in need of clear differences in texture to make the design work. So that might suggest how to choose your alternatives. A couple of things that sprang to mind were Sedum —a good upright form like ‘Matrona’ will have dark heads through the winter, but I’d put bulbs through it (low growing ones like Crocus, Scilla) to offer interest when you cut back the stems. Alternatively, hellebores have some excellent foliage forms like the newer x ericsmithii hybrid ‘Winter Moonbeam’. I’d avoid anything that’s going to be too soft-textured and cloudy (Santolina, Hebe) unless you introduce a firm frame for it, such as a box or brick edging. I have seen Phlomis russelliana used this way—very interesting dead heads in winter, but the leaves can get a bit dishevelled in summer.
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