Heuchera's are a good suggestion, I found mine don't really like a lot of shade; and they don't tend to get eaten by the slugs. Mine're ruffly though, so smoother ones might be tastier? Don't know. In deeper shade mine made like little palm trees, growing up and up. Not attractive. I put them in sun and they're happy little ground covers, they only get a couple hours shade a day and are happy. If you don't mind flowers, I'd try some annuals there too or lupins perhaps. For a greener look, salal or the low oregon grape are nice; I find both grow pretty well in sun or shade. I have some little maples with hardy geraniums under them, I particularly like the geranium I got at a plant swap a while ago and which I've forgotten the name of, it has pretty lacy dark red leaves. The maple has varigated red and cream leaves and they just look nice together I think. Another one has pulmonaria under it, but while pretty in bloom, it gets a bit ratty later on.

There is shade and there is shade. If it is relatively bright shade you have a lot of options. For instance, if it is shade cast by a wall, but the space is quite open on all other sides, the light levels are still pretty good. In that case, almost any shade friendly plant should do well. There are many lists in this forum. If it's hemmed in by tall evergreens on several sides and it looks like a cave, it will be a bit trickier. In any case hostas should do OK, especially blue ones if the shade is deeper. Epimedium is also good. For instant colour, it's hard to beat impatiens and begonias, and they are very undemanding as far as light is concerned. As far as design is concerned, think contrast. A hosta next to a bleeding heart is nice, for instance, because the contrast between the leaf size, shape and colour is pleasing. Put in a variety of heights, leaf shape, plant shape, and it will be hard to go too wrong.

I would second the Brazilian Pink Plume Plant. But it doesn't over winter here and I've only found it in nurseries in the fall....errgh! That said, I have mine in a plastic pot and I bring it in over winter nad tote it out. It can take temps above freezing and will come back after I've forgotten to water it. It appears to be a relative of Lollipops. BTW I find that both of these want some sun and aren't very colorful in full shade. My brugs won't bloom in full shade either. I've seen clivia popping up in garden places now. What about SUn Coleus? They are less colorful in the shade but get bigger than their shade loving kin. Ginger or varigated gingers are pretty. Lots of the tropical offerings are happy in the shade. Maybe a combination of them with zebra plant in the front....? Maybe Maracas? I've already got my caladiums and elephant ears from Sam's waiting in the garage. Here is a link that might be useful: maracas

need to know where you are ... second.. ALL PLANTS WILL SUNBURN ... when going from shade to sun ... so immediately ... watch for new growth in a mnoth or so.. and all that growth should be sun acclimated ... understand that almost all shade plants.. simply tolerate shade .... and actually grow with more vigor in sun ... the downside is.. in late summer.. they start looking ratty ... hosta is the perfect example ... they multiply and clump faster in sun ... but might look bad later ... frankly .... i would increase water .. add mulch ... and find out how it all works out.. before i went and started worrying about it.. or giving away plants ... in fact.. maples being the super water hogs they are.. you might be surprised how well things end up doing ... your annual begonia are probably not going to like full sun .. i wouldnt worry about perennials ... keep in mind.. full sun ... is more of a water issue.. than a light issue ... can a given plant.. pump enough water.. during the heat of the day ... to overcome potential damage ... we could more fully talk about hosta in the very active hosta forum ... just try to drown them .. in the root zone.. not by wetting the leaves alone ... if you are in the deep south.. ignore the above.. lol ... better water that grass also ... and now that the maple is gone.. that should eventually perk up also ... the plants are severely stressed.. not hungry.. fert is not an issue ... ken