Plants that do well in shady areas?

[smokey the elder]

You can go with plants with striking foliage. Hostas, caladiums, elephant ears, black taro, Persian shield, Chocolate plant are all ones I've had success with. Deer don't seem to bother the tropicals (elephant ears, taro and caladiums) or the chocolate plant. Pachysandra can be invasive but grows fairly slowly.

Good luck!

[jazzcat]

Are you looking for something to come back year after year or are you looking for annuals?

Some good annuals are:
Impatience
Begonias
Coleus
Caladiums

Some good perrenials are:
Hosta
Hydranga
Astilbe
Bleeding Heart

I've read that Daylillies will tolerate shade but the ones I have in shady areas don't bloom as well as the ones in full sun.