Thank you for contacting the CSU Master Gardener with your questions. You have a challenging area to landscape but it can be done. You did not mention how much sun this area receives in the afternoon, except it does get the harsh afternoon Colorado sunshine. From the pictures you sent, I see there is also brick and a concrete path around the areas. This will all contribute to the heat in this area. I am also assuming there is no irrigation in this area.

The best plants for this area are xeriscape type plants. These plants can tolerate more heat and less water. Garden Nurseries and big box stores offer these types of plants. This Friday there is a plant sale at the Denver Botanical Gardens and they too will have an area for low water plants for sale with all sorts of garden experts.

The spring months when we receive lots of water the bleeding hearts will thrive in this area. They are only spring blooming plants and naturally die off, go into dormancy, with the heat of the summer. Other spring blooming perennial plants you could plant in this area could be a Narbonne Blue Flax, Sandia Coral Bells, Scott's Sugarbowls-Scott's Clematis. These are mound shaped plants. 

During the heat of the summer you will need to focus on summer blooming perennials. You might want to look at grasses. There is a Plant Select grass Called Standing Ovation Little Bluestem that might work, sedums, and ice plants.

When choosing your plants be sure to look at the blooming time on the label. This well ensure you have color throughout the summer.

After all that I have mentioned, have you thought of placing a taller flower pot on the side of where the chair is placed in the mulched area? With a flower pot you could plant shade loving annuals, like impatiens with a potato plant annual, which is a trailing leaf that would grow down alongside the pot to the ground creating a lush cool entrance. The impatiens would create a pop of color with the green leaf. These provide color throughout the season and would be a nice welcoming addition to your entryway. Of course you would have to hand water these plants.  If you are not into watering, how about purchasing a large boulder or rock of some sort for that area?

Whatever you decide you will need to provide some sort of supplemental watering during the summer months. Plants need water to thrive, even the lower water varieties, and especially during the establishment period.

I have attached some publications on water wise gardening to get you started on your gardening. If you want to do some more research on your own I would highly suggest you go the www.cmggardennotes.com, then go to Publications and fact sheets and look under xeriscaping. Have fun and enjoy the process!

Thank you.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1909.html

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1907.html

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1904.html