Question
Thanks for the answer. Could you suggest perennials for full shade other than ferns and hostas? I live in Northeast Ohio.
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Followup To

Question -
I have never had perennials but started planting a few hostas and daylilies and now I am hooked. I just bought 3 black eye susans and 3 Little Joe Pye Weed as I have a wooded lot and have from sun to full shade and many places to plant so I want to experiment. Would black eye susans be self supporting that I can plant in front of a tree? The ones I bought are droopy.
Similarly with Little Joe.
Also same question for both: how do they spread? Via roots, via seeds? Should I leave plenty of room in between the plants?
THanks, Bill

Answer -
Hi Bill,
Thanx for your question.  Both of these plants need full sun for at least 6 hours a day.  They spread primarily by seed.  Yes, leave about 24 inches between each plant to allow them to fill in and not crowd each other.  I hope this helps.
Tom

Answer
Hey Bill,
Thanx for the followup.  Iris cristata (crested iris), any aquilegia (columbines, after the blooms the foliage looks great!), lungwort, lobelia, lily-of-the-valley, geranium (but this is not the type you are used to, check with your local nursery for hardy, perennial geraniums), wood poppy, hardy ginger, bloodroot, Jacob's ladder, toad lily.  Do a search on Google.com for shade plants.  I go to my local nurseries and many of them have whole sections with plants that are just for shade gardens.  If you still haven't found the answers you want, post a follow up and I'll see what I can do Bill. Take care and thanx.  I hope this helps.
Tom