Hi Oddquine.
Unfortunately Paeony like a deep rich soil so unless you can enrich your beds and deepen them (maybe raise some?) then you'll have to put it in a pot. But the pot needs to be deep enough and just a little tip - Paeonies hate to be moved and can refuse to flower if they're not happy.
Have you tried Cranesbill? That's a pretty tolerant plant and will pretty much stand anything.
Theres loads of Hosta varieties that should thrive - especially in a semi shaded area.
Campanula does OK in shallow soil I think.
Iris don't like to be set deep so they could do very well.
Monarda,
Heuchera
Sedum
I'd stick to keeping Lavender in pots as the really nice ones 'Kew Red' etc won't do well through the winter outside.
Hope you get going with this garden. If you still need any plants come the end of the year or beginning of next year I have a few that would be suitable e'g Hosta, Iris (big white ones and yellow ones), Cranesbill (several varieties) plus other stuff you could try like Tree Lupin and Tradescantia.
p.s If your garden faces down the village to the sea it's South facing like mine - Perfect!!!!!!!!!!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
http://thetenaciousgardener.blogspot.co.uk/
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