Susan, I need some particulars about where you garden to be able to make suggestions about shade loving plants. I need to know what zone you are in. Instead of announcing the town where you live, you can tell me what state, and upper or lower half, and I should be able to determine the zone for you. OR... go to this site and clock your cursor where you live to determine the zone number.
There's a wonderful little book called "Taylor's Guide to Perennials for Shade," published by Houghton Mifflin, which I would recommend to you. It will give you basic tips for preparing your soil, and when to move plants into and out of your garden. There is also a companion book on ground covers that would be very helpful.
The following list of plants are hardy to USDA Zones 5 or 4, unless noted. Taylor's guide shows a picture of, and describes all these, and as many more plants that I won't mention here. You need to choose by height, season, and also by type of shade. Most of these plants will grow in partial shade. If you need information for DEEP shade, let me know, and I'll see if I kept the websites that might help.
Bugleweed
Lady's Mantle (I have one, and it sends out runners to make more.)
Anemone (Zones 4-6 depending on the variety)
Columbine (Spring bloomer)
Goatsbeard (a shrubby perennial that grows 4-6 feet. I want one!)
Astilbe
False Rockcress (a mat-forming plant for edgings)
Siberian Bugloss
Bellflower (dozens of varieties and sizes)
Leadwort (zone 6)
Lily of the Valley (This spreads nicely, and smells wonderful)
Bleeding Heart
Dutchmen's Breeches
Foxglove
Shooting Star
Leopard's Bane
Sweet woodruff (I've used these under taller plants)
Hellebore (I've never grown these....the Lenten Rose)
Cranesbill
Coral bells (I love the "Purple Palace" variety)
Hosta (Francee is my favorite....a creamy stripe down the center of the leaf)
Blue lily turf (The book says this is zone 6, but I grow it in zone 5.)
Blue Lobelia
Lupine
Creeping Phlox (beautiful at the edge of a garden or base of a tree)
False Dragon Head (This is a good tall plant for the background of a garden)
Chinese Lantern Plant (Very invasive. Grow it in a pot for dried arrangements)
Jacob's Ladder
Solomon's Seal
Primrose
Stonecrop (Sedum) I have "Autumn Joy" and one other
Snow Trillium
Violets (which will spread all over the place, if you let them)
I hope this list gives you a jumping off point, Susan.
