Hi Mitsy, The best plants to grow in shady areas are plants that have their origins in woodlands.
Shady sites can sometimes be difficult and it's pointless trying to persevere with sun loving plants.
Dry shade is the most difficult to get established but Moist shade gives you much more scope.
Some plants that can do well in dry shade are, Beginia species, Euphorbia species, pulmonaria species, Iris foetidissima, Waldsteinia ternata, Anemone japonica,Brunnera macrophylla, cortaderia selloana.
Moist shade perenials, Digitalis species, dicentra spectabilis, Hosta species, Viola species, Tradescanthia andersoniana, ranuncalus species, Filipendula species, Thalicum species, Rodgersia species, Poliginum Affine, Saxifraga urbium,Tiarella cordifolia, Trollis cultorum, Lysimachia clethroides Symphytum species, Monarda hybrids, Good Luck. Tbird+