Recommendation above is sound advice regarding ID of the plants in question. I would suggest, however, that you trim that euonymus back so it is not climbing the tree. It isn't doing the tree any good, and you will find it grows so vigorously that with some thoughtful pruning you can shape it as you wish. You'll have to keep after it, but don't be afraid to show it who's boss.

I'd also get rid of the vinca (the evergreen vine growing amid the euonymus). I don't know where you are, but in some regions it is considered an invasive plant ... and there are many preferable alternatives. If it weren't such a problem here, I'd laugh when I see it for sale at garden centers (that and English ivy, among others); it seems ridiculous that anyone would actually *pay for it!

It's hard to tell from these photos, but the needled evergreen shrubs look like juniper. These can take a hard pruning, but if sheared back beyond live, green growth into the dead-looking woody branches, they most likely will not come back.

There are many plants that will provide some color in the shade. Tiarella and especially heuchera (coral bells). They have attractive if somewhat discreet flowers, but have lovely foliage - the heuchera especially, which is available with leaves of green, burgundy, chartreuse, caramel, some with a silvery overlay. The flowering period of most perennials is about 4-6 weeks, but foliage color - and texture - lasts all season, so that's what you want to focus on. Think of the lovely contrast of finely textured ferns against the bold, solid leaves of hosta.

Variegated Solomon's seal will brighten a shady area even after the blooms are long gone. One of my favorites for spring color ... though you have to be close to appreciate it ... is epimedium: tiny star-shaped flowers seem to hover over the nearly evergreen leaves on wiry stems. If you can find them, shooting star (dodecatheon) and Indian Pinks (spigelia) are two delightful native plants. (The shooting star goes completely dormant after flowering, however, so it's best to mark the spot so you don't inadvertently dig it up later.) Our native wild ginger makes a lush groundcover (small red-brown flowers are hidden beneath the leaves, though), and there are some interesting lungworts (pulmonaria) the produce outstanding cobalt-blue flowers in spring, then silver-speckled green foliage the rest of the season. Hardy cyclamen (not the flashy ones you see in florist shops) is a real surprise to many; lovely leaves, with a bonus of flowers in early spring or autumn, depending on variety. Again, not easy to find, but worth it.

Take your time, enjoy the search ... go for the special plants that you *don't see in everyone else's yard!