Question

Partial shade garden   I live in zone 9a and have a garden space that was previously partial shade with ardisia japonica as a ground cover. We lost a tree a couple of years ago, and the ground cover has since been burning from the sun. I'm attaching a older picture of the area from when it was doing well and before we lost the tree. It's the area centered by the bird bath.
We will likely be putting our house on the market in the spring (March) and therefore don't have the time needed to grow a complete new ground cover in the area between now and then, so I was thinking of mixing in a flowering plant in the same area to rise above the level of the ground cover (about 12-18"). My hope is that this will offer the ground cover some relief and also obscure the parts of it that don't look the best. My first thought was bulbs like daffodils, but since those don't last long, they probably aren't a good choice since it may take some time to sell the house. I also tried calladiums this year in the same general area, but the sun was too much for them. I need to cover a pretty large space without spending a fortune, and the area, while not overly formal, is designed geometrically, so I won't be able to put in anything really loose and unformed, like salvia (which I have in another, more casual part of the garden). I know this is a conundrum, but I'd appreciate any suggestions on what to look for or to get me going in some direction. I am open to seeds, bulbs, plants, whatever it takes. Thank you!

Answer
Hi Allison,
Thanx for your question.  Why don't you put some lantana down?  It comes in different colors, is a low-growing shrub and is pretty much carefree.  Iceplant is another idea.  Ground ivy?  Creeping Myrtle, Liriope, Dwarf Mondo Grass.  There are a number of creeping or low growing sedums that are zero to low maintenance you could use too.  I hope this helps.
Tom