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Specimen plant idea needed

Hello all,
Help me replace a useless little triangle of grass with an interesting plant.

Zone: 4 US / 5 Canadian 
Light: ~6 hours afternoon sun
Situation:
Each side of this little triangle is about 4 feet long.  It is separated from
the driveway on the "angled" side by a low wood/lattice fence (3 feet high). 
It adjoins a small square bed (4x4 feet) edged with 4 x 4's.  The small bed
has a twin on the other side of the steps to the back deck.  The small beds
are home to peonies (I also plant Dahlias here for late summer interest).  The
low fence separating the garden from the driveway has a swinging gate that
when open, blocks the triangle of grass. It's on the North side of the
peonies, so whatever is planted here won't be a problem shading the existing
plants. (See the ascii diagram below)

The question: what to plant in the little triangle (currently a few blades of
grass and alot of clover) next to the peony bed.  It should be at least 4-5
feet high so it can be seen over the fence and gate.  I'd like it to be
flowering, but I'm open to other options. If flowering, preferably after the
peonies are in bloom to continue the interest here. The plant can't have wide
spread or it will cause problems for opening the gate, and for people walking
by. 

So far all I can think of is dwarf lilac, which, unfortunately, would bloom
around peony time (but I do love lilacs!).  A column shaped cedar or spruce is
a possibility, but I'm not really keen on them.  Any other ideas?

Thanks! -Sheila
                    +
                    +
                    +            Back Deck (raised 4 feet + railings)
                    +
   Driveway        /++++++++++++++++++++-------------++++++++++++++++++
                 /     |               +             +               |
               /       |               +-------------+               |
             /         |               +             +               |
           /   ???     |   peony       +-------------+   peony       |
         /             |               +             +               |
       /               | (4x4 feet)    +-------------+               |
     /                 |               +             +               |
   xxxx Gate when xxxx ----------------+-------------+----------------
   xxxxxx open xxxxxxx
                                         |
                                     N<--+-->
                                         |

                                    Paved Path

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                               \/ Lawn & gardens\/


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