shady areas of garden

aroidgardner posted stunning photos this morning - may give you some ideas . EE is Elephant Ear - common name. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/flgard/. These work well with hosta, caladium, polkadot plant, fern, philodendron - all have verigated types for a "green and white" garden. Intersperse with shade blooming annuals. Are the trees deciduous? A leafy ground cover is good with all of these suggestions.

fuchsia gereanium and ferns all tollerate shade.

Hostas too, and Hellebores in the spring. Impatiens grows well in shade, as an annual. Can I suggest that you borrow Beth chattos' book - 'The Shade Garden' - for LOTS of ideas.

sambucus ,black lace,like shaded area,bleeding hearts,dicentras! and some honeysuckles too!