gardening in a side alley

[Curly Garden]

I have a very narrow bed running along the fence opposite my house. The alley gets plenty of daylight, but only about two hours of direct sunlight each day, and flowering plants that like partial shade seem to do very well - but they all lean sharply to catch the rays! What can I grow that won't lean over so obviously to catch the rays? Even the clematis I grow turn their flowers sideways!

[Thunderbird+]

I think flowering plants with tall whippy stems are best avoided, esecially those with large daisy-like flowers, the sunflower would typify this. interestingly the word daisy has derived from days-eye, aluding to the fact that it opens up to the sun and follows it around.

If its a perennial border you have then I would seek out low-ish, shade resistant, ground-cover plants of woodland origin.
A few I think may do well are - Convallaria ( lily of the valley )'variegata' has beautiful cream and green leaves.
Bergenia (elephants ear) has large, leathery round green leaves with pink or white drumstick-like flower heads that are unlikely to be drawn to the sun.
Symphytum (garden comfry) will quite happily romp away all on its own, needing little attention.

I dont know if this is possible but is their any way you can improve the light from the shady side ie pruning ? but I guess you would have already thought of that. Good Luck.