I really think blue hostas and ferns for such an area is ideal. give up on "color" think subtlety such as variations of green. will be surprised to hear there is color that will be lasting under this hedge.

ferns (japanese painted ferns are my fave), and lily of the valley- the lillies are the 'classic' underplanting for pines, since they like acid soil and deep shade...and they make an ok groundcover even after the flowers have gone. blue hostas -especially the seersucker ones, would also be great, I think!

I have a large pine tree that I also cut all the lower branches off up to 6 ft. I have bear breeches, and daylilies growing quite happily under it, and also my "anual " glads on the back side seem to survive harsh
winters under it causethey are all coming back. Im not sure if hostas would like it with the branches cut so high, ,
but I have other spots under crabapples where the hostas and dianthus thrive...

Columbine likes it under pines, at least mine does, and it comes in a variety of colors. I have red. Sweet Woodruff is also there and it makes small white flowers, smells delicious, too. I have Tansy under my pine, too 'cause it looks like a fern without the prissiness of a fern...it's a weed. Actual ferns don't do well in my climate. Also, the Tansy makes small yellow flower buttons.

You mentioned hostas, ferns, lily of the valley, columbine.
Are any of these deer resistant?

They shouldn't eat the ferns or lily of the valley.

I'd also suggest hellebores, for nice foliage and very early blooming, and deer resistant.

What kind of evergreen is it? I know spruce trees send out long shallow roots that are very hungry and invasive to other plants. Check for these roots before planting. Otherwise you might have some very sick looking plants.

Any type of Symphoricarpos loves growing under evergreens, as is their want in nature, but I especially love Symphoricarpos x chenaultii 'Hancock' - in other words, a Hancock Coralberry. I just planted some 5gal. plants under a huge Blue Spruce this May, and now they are sending out nice long lateral shoots in every direction. Should mature to 2.5' high x 6' x 6' and very 'ferny' looking, but with red berries, totally deerproof, and in the right situation, well behaved. I also like to use it as a groundcover for dry shade, especially on slopes, even mixing it in w/ Cotoneaster apiculatus (sp?)
Hope this helps!

: ) Dead Nettle (lamium) is a silver and green foliage groundcover that even makes nice ilttle flower spikes in the spring, and it grows in full shade...

I second the vote for lilly of the valley, they LOVE it under pines (pine needle tea is acidic. they love that) AND the Japanses painted ferns- mine are particularly 'red' this year, maybe the humidity?

Shrubs: Buxus. Sarcococca. Mahonia.
Perennials: Tiarella. Viola. Polygonatum. Liriope. Stokesia, maybe.

Is your tree a Spruce or a Fir???? If so the branches will drop now that the lower branches have been removed. The branches could possibly relax up to two feet, in the next year or so. The tree will take on a more open & loose look. More suceptable now to wind & snow damage. Again if it is a Fir or Spruce you will need to keep a good three inches of mulch under the tree, with what ever you plant. Be careful of the ammount of fertilizer now used. Most evergreens like acidic soil. Hope this helps & good luck. Frank

I had several white spruces in my front yard and here is what I grew around them that I remember doing well--astilbe, monarda, lemon balm, johhny jump ups, and coral bells.

Will look into all the very good options suggested here - what I'd LIKE to find is something low (under 6" when mature) and THICK. Flowers/Color, actually, are secondary!

If you don't mind something being invasive you can plant vinca under them.

Nancy