Are the stumps and roots of the rhododendrons still present?

I'm working on pulling out the smaller two but part of the largest one may have to stay

Why not let them sprout and grow? It would take a few years for them to be 'enormous' again.

Sequim has a lavender festival, so maybe that would be an option.

Rhododendrons can be pruned as if they were a trees. Instead of an overgrown bush, they can be a well behaved small tree. Periodic pruning would need to be done to maintain them as such. whicht would be mostly sprouts on the trunk and a few refinements on the branches.

Check out Great Plant Picks - they have an entire listing of all manner of plants for full sun and drought tolerance (look at 'Fun in the Sun') that are expressly well suited to the PNW.

We have moved from perennials to slow growing interesting conifers. Much less maintenance or (diaper changing) as my son calls it. With some research, you can find dwarf conifers, small maples, wonderful ground covers and have a great look all year. Mix with some Mediterraneans but be warned that they tend to be short lived and do require time to keep them tidy. Depending on your neighborhood, flowers next to the sidewalk can be very tempting to children and even adults who help themselves to the blossoms. Perennials need to be deadheaded and watered all summer - even the drought tolerant ones. Start slow - build the backbone with conifers, a few nice sized rocks and then if you want more color, add a few perennials like the ones mentioned above.