Speaking of the first responder being in Michigan where are you located?

Other than survivability, what else are you looking for in your plan? Concealing or revealing anything? Preserving lawn space or creating more enclosure?

First, where in the world are you? Second, how wide of a planting area do you want? Makes a difference if you want shrubs or just flowers.

IMO the first step is a visit to your local garden store they will have info about waht grows in your area and in your situation. I love hostas and the items listed above all work but how much space are thinking of giving over to plantingsI would want to cover a lot of that fence

We are mid-state.

There are 50 of them, which one?

Mid-state where? And 50 what?

50 states

So many shade loving plants/shrubs to choose from. You can add color/texture and tons of interest with perennials alone interspersed with a few annuals and small shrubs. Here’s just a sampling of some shade loving perennials that help to show all the variation you can achieve with perennials alone.

Lizzie, it is not where you live that is of concern but where the OP lives. Without that very vital piece of information, it is impossible to gve any meaningful advice on plant selection!!

I believe Embothrium's response was directed at the OP specifically, just prompted by your divulging of your location :-) And based on the forums this question was posted to, I am assuming the OP entered from the Houzz side and is not aware that providing a location is pretty much essential for ANY gardening question!!

jsmokebreak, Patricia gave good advice. Take your photos to a good, local nursery for suggestions. Our backyard is full of shade plants but we're in Southern CA.

Ok Thanks everyone, and sorry for the confusion, we are in Central TX, just outside of Austin.

We're pals with our local nursery, and they are very helpful with which types of plants work in shady areas around here. Even thinking about not just doing a straight line, and not being too narrow, are things I've not even thought of, and are very helpful. Pictures are helpful too!

Kitasai and Gracie01, I suppose we're looking to conceal the fence a bit and pretty-up the fenceline. Once it gets hot here, the crabgrass that is back there will die, and it'll be just dirt.

The trees are also not filled in yet, so it will get shadier.

I always love Dig Doug’s plans. It’s so helpful to see it drawn.
You can add a dog wood tree or savannah holly in the corner. Other options for the space :spice bush (butterflies love this) camellia or dwarf burford hollies (evergreen). I always enjoy hydrangeas, hostas and ferns. I like the autumn fern and Japanese painted fern because they always come back in the spring in my area. I live in zone 7b-8a (Arkansas)and these are things that work in my shade- filtered,shade and part shade areas.

I forgot to add azaleas

I believe your soil/clay is probably alkaline. I live in Central Texas also. I would avoid any acid lovers like azaleas, rodies, etc. They are best suited for East Texas. Take a look at the Earth Kind recommendations. I've done a little hit and miss plantings also. I am going on my third spring and have managed to keep Beauty Berry, Butterfly Bush, Abelia, Pyracantha, Hawthornes and a variety of crepe myrtles alive. My daylillies, iris and lantanas do well. I used Earth Kind Carefree Rose Shrubs and Climbing Pinkie. They thrived in last summer's heat.

Contact your County Extension Agent office, most will give you instructions on how to bag and remit soil samples for analysis. This service is very low cost and will allow you to amend the soil as necessary to allow for a wider range of plants.

Thanks so much everyone! This really is helpful! regarding Dig Doug's design, that sure is great to see possibilities. What is that large flowering tree in the middle?

Hostas are in our future I think, and we actually had an Aurelia back there a couple of years ago, and it didn't make it through an unusually harsh winter we had 2 years ago, along with some other things

That flowering tree looks a lot like a Rose of Sharon we used to have. I'm sure Doug will let you know for sure.

It is a camellia, but you could use many other plants.

Ok great. Another question, as I prepare the bed...We have bermuda grass, and there's none growing along the fence, just dirt, and lots of crabgrass and weeds right now. IIRC it dies off when it gets hot, but I'm wondering if I should dig it all up before I till?

One thing to consider that I haven’t seen mentioned is that there are trees just on the other side of the fence. You will have tree roots in the soil back there, and you may find tilling difficult. If you cut tree roots, they often grow back aggressively from the cut ends, but if you do too much damage, you may cause issues for the trees that will reduce the screen you currently have, either of which may be a problem. Before making further plans or going to town with a tiller, I would do some investigation with a shovel. You may need to end up with moving the bed out from the fence somewhat or adding a shallow layer of new soil and organic matter to help new plants establish.