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Some things that have done well in my partial-to-full-shade garden in Wake Forest:
Aucuba Japonica
Rainbow leucothoe
Japanese Plum Yew (low and spreading)
Hicks Yew (more upright)
Azaleas
Camellias
Clethra
Japanese maples
Viburnums
Rhododendron
Gardenias
Anise
Dogwood
Redbud
Those are all shrubs and small trees. For underplantings:
If you want something that spreads, ivy is a good choice, although it can go a bit wild. I have Persian ivy in my side yard and am always trimming it, although it looks good. Sweet woodruff and vinca minor are a couple more that do pretty well in shade.
If any of the above are to do well, though, you'll have to remove all the rocks and gravel and amend the soil with organic matter. One gardener I know mixes bagged compost and soil conditioner and plants in that. I use the Sta-Green garden soil from Lowe's and have had pretty good luck with it.
Well, I was kinda hoping to just push the gravel back and stick 'em in the dirt as is...but the notorious black thumb is probably already killing my future plantings...I think I'll end up doing containers. Thanks so much for all the ideas! I've got lots to look over!
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