There are a number of small, pretty, flowering trees and shrubs that love the edge of woods. Dogwood, Azaleas, Rhodos, Redbud. Find some and make a transition from lawn to woods.

We don't know your zone and we don't know if that area has morning sun or afternoon sun--big difference-- so it's nearly impossible to suggest specific plants. This is not a difficult area, however, but we need to know the parameters. And Landscaping is really not the right forum for specific plant choices--Perennials and/or shrubs would be much better.

This is most certainly the correct forum for plant choices. Knowing the proper zone is necessary, though.

I'm in the seacoast area of S. Maine. I have a shady yard. I have magnolias, mountain laurel, rhodos, azaleas, and hydrangeas that do well.

Redbud is a bit iffy for me, but you're further south. You have to look at the zones for rhodos, azaleas, magnolias and hydrangea. You'll find some that do well in zone 5 (which is what I am) but others that won't.

I'd also put in high bush blueberries. I have some low bush blueberries which Woody, Chucky, the Chippies and squirrels love. They liked my strawberries, too.

It's worth noting Doug put in a lovely, full-crowned birch, but you appear to have a skinny one at the edge of the woods. If you put another one at the edge of the woods, mostly likely, it will end up looking exactly like the one you have, unless you clear out the trees behind it.