How about astilbes, columbine, and forget-me-nots. You could also grow balloon flowers, heuchera, and hostas. I can't see the area toward the back - but how about hydrangeas (if it's a big enough area)? If you want some small shrubs (Maybe 3 or 4) - dwarf boxwoods and then put some perennial flowering plants for part-shade in between.

All very good suggestions, thank you. I'm just worried that shrubs (hydrangea, astilbes or hostas) would overgrow the walk which needs to be kept pretty open since the hill on the other side restricts walking off the sidewalk. I Definitely want a hydrangea towards the front so it can be seen from the main street.
Thanks!
~Andrea

You can find hostas in all sizes even small ones that grow only a foot high. My area I did was simular and I did some ferns with hostas. Look up woodland plants there are many that would be perfect for that area. You could try Asarums aka wild ginger. A canadense, a caudatum, a europaeum are all for your zone. They grow about 6 to 8 inches high and would make a nice groundgover. Also Aegopodium would work aka bishops weed. It gets taller 1 to 11/2 feet and comes in variegated version. It flowers in summer also. Brunnera is another idea. It also gets 1 to 11/2 feet tall. Lily of the valley will work and it takes sun or shade. Disporum or fairy bells would work also and have pretty yellow flowers. All of these are rated for your zone. There zone rating is 4 to 8. Hope this helps.

Hey craftlady,
The ideas posted are great. If expense
is a problem try starting in the front
of the house and working your way back.
You may want to keep the flowers that
will go in front of the crawlspace
covering in pots so you will have
easy access if needed. You can bury
the pots up to the rim and cover with
mulch. No one will know but you'll
be able to move them if necessary.
Also a lot of flowers are easy to
start from seed. The local Walmart
and Walgreens have seeds for 6 to
10 packs for a buck. Can't beat
that. I like to use the containers
I get roasted chickens in from the
local grocery to start my seeds.
The bottom is black which holds the
heat and the top is domed and clear
to let in light and gives the seeds
room to grow. You could also check
your local garden centers for their
bargin plants. You know last years
container with plants that need
a little TLC. The usually perk
right up once they hit the garden
and have room to spread out. Well
good luck with everything. Keep
us posted.
Brenda

Here is a link that might be useful: http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/341160218YiLpsn

I am not familiar with plants for your zone, but I googled 'vines for shade' and got several matches, climbing hydrangea, akebia and ivies and more. Since it is a small bed, and you don't want to affect the sidewalk much, I would try a few vines against the wall on a trellis. You could also have small hostas, what about violets? Impatiens too.

I love ferns-ferns spread pretty fast and you can intersperse them with other flowering plants. Plus ferns are perfect to use with all your other cut flowers for bouquets. You can have a little woodland forest garden on this side of the house-i find it easier to garden when I have a theme in mind: violets, ferns, columbines, a few azaleas, then add a couple of gnomes, there you go....