What can I plant here?

[TattiePants]

Our front garden is west facing and has a 6ft fence so the borders directly in front of the fence get very little sun. What can I plant here that won’t grow too big? I’d prefer plants rather than bushes and ideally some colour.

Heucheras, tiarella, hostas, antirrhinums, polyanthus, bizzie Lizzie. Probably almost any plant would grow there that likes semi shade. It’s not dense shade.
clematis and roses will do well too.
I have a similar bed and don’t have any problems growing these.

Hardy geranium
Hydrangeas (if not too big for you)
Violets
Fuschia
Bleeding heart
Hellebores
Muscari

Are you looking for annuals or perennials?

If annuals, busy lizzies would give you most colour for least effort. If looking for perennials, fuchsias, japanese anemones, heucheras (not flowers but come in many foliage colours), (some) lilies or periwinkles would all do fine.

clematis would like it there with its roots in the cool. once it climbed up ut would love it in the sun. Altho takes 2-3 years to really get going

Cranesbill

Mainly perennials.

Some great suggestions although I’m having to Google at least half of them!

Aqualegia or phlox paniculata.

Sorry... Aquilegia.

Hydrangea - one of the large mop heads like Annabelle would fill the space as long as you keep it watered. Seedheads left over winter look good too. I know you said no bushes but that would give you the most impact in a small spot in my experience. Other suggestions given will work too tho but you will need to work harder to make the spot work throughout the year so you don’t have a gap in interest.

It's made for hydrangea!