I don't know anything about your zone but I would look at record low temps for the last hundred years and use that as my basis instead of just the last two or three years. I would hate to plant something and have it doing good for four or five years and then have a freak cold spell kill it and have to start over.

Hibiscus

Again, it only gets full direct sun for an hour or two in the morning, then it's partial / filtered shade under a huge live oak until 1pm, and full / deep shade afterwards.

Rosemary while gorgeous, requires more sun. I've got another spot on the property that's going to get the rosemary. I need it for the kitchen and grill.

I absolutely love hibiscus, but I'm also in San Antonio. The neighborhood herd of pet deer think it's a nice salad buffet and will actively seek it out. They already come up into my yard and taste everything I've got planted on their way to the fountain. I don't need that fight.

Record low temps are factored into calculating usda zone declarations. I know I run the possibility of losing plants to extreme cold snaps, but I'm wanting tropical. I'm within a couple miles of the zone border of 8b and 9a, and looking at mature plants growing in the ground throughout Live Oak, 9a seems to be correct and that's what I'm aiming for.

If you were not going for the tropical look I would have said Hydrangea would work since you don't get much sun there, but deer love to mow them to the ground. LOL! Maybe a bit too much shade, but a Alpinia zerumbet 'Yu Hwa Ginger' might look good under the trees next to the door area. They can get about 5 feet tall.

LOL! You lived here so you know the deer are overgrown pets. Out for a walk the other night and came up on the herd with a pair of speckled fawns playing chase and jumping around like baby goats. But it means that I have to be careful what goes outside the fence. If it is tasty to a deer, they will mow it down.

Ginger is a really excellent idea. I've got a few different kinds that I've been wanting and would bloom nicely and look stunning. And the thought of the smell of ginger flowers at the front door sounds heavenly. Thank you!!!

Beauty Berries!