Is it dry and hard?

For water retention you will need to add compost perhaps a couple times in a year. Plus add some manure if possible.

Ornamental grasses are an excellent choice, most especially Karl Foerster. I also like the variegated and dwarf forms of the miscanthus varieties.

You can also add succulents - like sedum autumn joy which produces a rust coloured flower. Very pretty and interesting when paired with the grass.

How about lambs ears? There are the large, dwarf varieties available.

This is all I can think of for now.

You definately need some drought tolerant plants in that situation. I have a similar bed and have had some success with penstemon, false sunflower, gaillardia, spurge, lambs ears, and sedum. These well require some hours of full sun; if it is a more shady bed you could try lamium, solomon seal, goatsbeard, barrenwort, and lungwort. These are all pretty tolerant of dry shade conditions especially once established. Good luck!

Hamilton,
I have the exact same setup - east facing strip against the house under a maple - and I have my share of problems as well.
But right now the best performers have been hellebores, and they are now among my favourite plants. They grow about a foot tall and spread over time.
I also have barrenwort and lungwort, and as debbie noted above, they do well in dry shade.
I'm still trying to decide on some shrubs for this area myself, so I can't help you there. Some euonymus varieties should work though.
However, you also need to start adding some organic matter to the area to help with water retention....shredded leaves and/or compost will do wonders. And you have to be mindful of the rain shadow created by your house. Just because it rains doesn't mean things have been watered....I made this mistake a couple years ago.