spring, i only have one area that gets shade...for about an hour a day and that's just not enough
maybe the chinaberry i transplanted (thx, netwiz!) will take hold and grow well enough to provide enough shade...
anyway, back to sandra's question! if you could post a pic, that really would be helpful! and does the area get any sun at all? if so, how many hours a day?
hydrangea (a bush) do very well in the shade (there are a ton of varieties, too). some clematis (a vine) also can do well in the shade (as long as they get some sun). and you can never go wrong with hosta (there are hundrends of varieties). coral bells are another that i can't have - they are absolutely lovely!!
here's a list that tammy (tkhooper) came up with earlier this summer when i posted a similar question looking for ideas for a neighbor:
Acanthopanax sieboldiana 'Variegatus'-Acanthopanax
Acer circinatum-Maple, Vine
Actaea racemosa-Black Cohosh
Actaea simplex-Bugbane
Astilbe c. 'Superba'-False Spirea
Astilboides tabularis-Astilboides
Athyrium filix-femina-Lady Fern, Uncrested
Chasmanthium latifolium-Northern Sea Oats
Corylopsis sinensis-Chinese Winter Hazel
Fuchsia magellanica-Fuchsia, Hardy
Mahonia aquifolium-Oregon Grape
Matteuccia struthiopteris 'The King'-Jumbo Ostrich Fern
Polygonatum commutatum-Solomon's Seal, Great
last, but not least, check out
native plants of ohio