Can you recommend a plant

Sounds like a job for Mahonia aquifolium, assuming its pretty shady under those trees. Gets about 3/4 feet max, evergreen, yellow mimosa like flowers in late winter or early spring, often followed by blue/black berries.

Ruscus is another one that will grow there, but I don't think its as attractive. Aucuba japonica (spotted laurel) will too, but that gets 6-8 feet high.

Take a look at Symphytum 'Goldsmith', aka S. 'Jubilee', or Symphytum x uplandicum 'Variegatum'. Both have lovely variegated leaves, and pretty flowers - they flower in the spring and possibly again later. They grow to 2' maybe?

You have to keep an eye on them, though, as they can spread.

If you want ground cover, Pachysandra is good under trees in shade. It's low growing and there is a varigated form.

Oooh Gee19, that was going to be my suggestion! ;-)

Pleioblastus bamboo's (a few types) are good usually reaching a max of 3ft though a hard prune back in spring keeps them lower still.

Sasaella ramosa, the same but green only and admittedly a little more thuggish regarding spreading.

Carex hostiana 'Ice Dance' (often mislabelled as the species C. morowii) is good for shade and has broad strappy leaves with a yellowish white border on each edge. Creeps around a bit but very underrated evergreen groundcover.

Not under rated by me, Fractal! I have several, now - I split them and they 'took' easily. I love this grass!

Ooops! I have it labelled as 'C. morrowii'....