Epimedium (horny goat weed).
The above plane sounds like it will be lovely. A great place to sit and enjoy tough plants that are beautiful. If you containers on the patio have enough depth for the semps I would think they would do well. Shallow containers will take to much maintenance.
I really like the idea of keeping with really tough plants, a lot less stress on the gardener.
Semps will be waiting for you when you are ready for them.
