oops! it's a CEDAR tree not cypress... sorry about the mixup!

I know you posted quite some time ago, but, leatherleaf viburnum is semi-evergreen, very adaptable from full shade to full sum, pretty flowers in spring and black berries in fall (until the birds get them), and prefers dry soils. It has light green leaves about 2" wide by 4" long with deep veining and a nice texture.

There's a reason you see liriope everywhere- it will grow in dry shade. Go with the clumping varieties unless you want it everywhere!

Epimedium is great for dry soil under trees. I have it under maple trees and it is quite happy.

Adam

Pachysandra will tolerate many conditions, sun or shade very well and will remain "evergreen" during winter. You could also plant low growing taxus (yews) such as Taxus cuspidata'Nana'

I have Hydrangea Annabelle in a very similar location. If you leave panicles on, it will be showy for a better part of winter.

Pachysandra, Ajuga and Vinca major or minor are all good shady groundcovers that are evergreen.

If you have room for taller plants there are evergreen ferns that might work well.

I'm just finishing up my home in Tuscany and have two incredible pencil cypress trees at the entrance to the property and want to plant some year round green

low maintenance 6-12" greenery at their base. Being a New Englander I love Pachysandra but am afraid that it might get too hot and dry. Any other suggestions?

So far the only thing that managed to grow under cypress on my garden is rosemary. Other than that, you can put pots or a raiser planter boxes between posts