Holly ferns. Not native, but evergreen and grow in heavy shade. Really the only thing I have found to grow and look good in heavy shade.

Native ferns like Christmas fern and Lady ferns will work if more dappled shade. Also azaleas, hosta, and vinca grow in shade, but not heavy shade.

• I planted Hicks yew (Taxus x media 'Hicksii') on the heavily-shaded, north-facing foundation of my house 12-15 years ago. With almost NO pruning, and absolutely NO supplemental watering, I have kept it at 5-ft tall. It is, without doubt, the most trouble-free shrub I've planted. Its southern hardiness is supposedly Zone 7, but with shade it does great in my Zone 8a. Just a suggestion. Good luck!

• Nelson

Ha. Cannot plant xyz..yes you can. The question is really will you cause other people a bigger problem ? I used to expect the better of people but then I turned 50 and now I especially have a dim view of the motivations from the post menopausal crowd. The ability to put yourself into the why and wherefore of a right of way is key. You may lose your labor of course. Plants and Materials too.

what nelson said. turning 50 should not cause us to become bitter and despondent. try typing while thinking without drinking and offer some suggestions as answers to the question. your replies will be taken more seriously.

Rose of Sharon will tolerate shade. There is an entire understory of the towering hardwoods. Redbud, Dogwood, Japonese Maple etc.