It's fine in my garden and can have purple flowers. There is also a variegated form. I really like Pulmonarias, there are lots of forms, variegations, and flower colors and they are putting on a great display now. Anemone nemarosa is also great in shade and only blooms at this time of year. It goes dormant in late summer then comes back in spring. This means you don't have to worry about watering it in the dry season, and Pulmonarias can take that too but need a little water. Helleborus orientalis also puts on the early spring show but will need some water in the dry season. I saw a double blossom in the dark purple color that was outstanding, the older blossoms turning green. If you were really desperate for some very tough but rather invasive dry shade plants you could consider groundcover Comfrey, Symphytum iberis, which is blooming now, and Geranium macrorrhizum, not to mention Vinca minor, which is blooming now. I like the variegated form as it brightens up the shade.

Thanks for the suggestions..... I think I'll look for some Pulmonarias, as I have astilbe and hellebores on the fringe of the shady area.... can you suggest a good fall bloomer for a shady, dry area?

Japanese Anenomes are shady fall bloomers