Just came upon this thread and if it hasn't already been mentioned, Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia ternata)
http://www.hortmag.com/plants/...
grows well in just such a spot in my garden. It was under a tree and next to my driveway and always very dry. It now gets more sun since we had to removed an ash tree to the west, but is still doing well. This photo was last May. It does better than the Doronicum behind it.
