I have Italian alum and hardy cyclamen. Both will grow under trees. The alum can be invasive here but shouldn't be in your climate. These are both fall foliage plants. The cyclamen will bloom in fall and is a pink bloom.

Interesting to read linnea's evaluation of Salvia nemorosa cultivars. I also have used those cultivars extensively, but don't agree as to which is the best, or at least which has been (performed) best for me. I have found May Night big and bushy. If it is true that May Night has the longest bloom time, that doesn't increase it's appeal to me. I want a mixed perennial bed to change colour (and overall height) through the growing season. There's a lot of different perennials to perform and some are more spectacular (I'd say) than Salvia nemorosa. I do agree about Caradonna's bloom and height. So far, I find it a bit narrow for it's height, but on the other hand, it then doesn't take up so much lateral space in (fits better into) a bed of closely spaced mixed perennials. As previously said, Caradonna seems to survive with a fair bit of shading. Personally I prefer the colour of Marcus and East Friesland, but I'm sure it's all a matter of personal taste (and perception - latter re documented variability in the perception of purple and blue).

It's actually warmer up north than down here lately. Unfortunately our plants don't mesh into a decent trade, I have the things you mention that I want and have very few shade plants in abundance or I'd be into it. Good luck, that's a good list. In the top section "seeds I have to trade" I put the date there, so people can know how current the list is. That might help you out. Do you mind if I ask about your Talinum? How long have you had it? I find that I'm cutting the whole thing back about once a month. After a flush of stalks starts making the seed balls, it stops, and those long things are flopping all over the place. As soon as I cut them, new ones start coming up fast. Needs some elbow room, this plant. I love seeing the little flowers "floating in mid-air" when I look out the window though. Have to be careful where I throw the cuttings too, they can root easily. It's really unusual and fun.

OK, I'll give them additional thought. :) the screaming acid chartreuse doesn't bother me. It is the alien form. I have seen them in California gardens looking wonderful but not here. I grew up in Arizona and now that I am in Portland, I like my garden to look like Portland if that makes sense? I LOVE Arizona and would move back in a heartbeat if DH would go but he won't. I LOVE the desert. LOVE tropical/arid plants but think they look funny here out in the landscape for the most part. I think Euphorbias and most succulents look better in gardens South or at least with houses whose architecture is better suited. I've seen some gorgeous stucco cottages with tons of tropical/succulent plants in the PNW that are awesome but my house just doesn't. I did get a small greenhouse for my birthday and am going to fill it with tropical plants so I can go out and putter or sit when it rains here. I'm totally full up on trees, I actually have too many but can't bear to edit, yet. I've got a Prunus x bleiriana that has been nothing but diseased and infested and ice damaged since day one. It was a present from my DH the first birthday after we bought this house (which had no trees at all, or shrubs other than Laurel for that matter) and the first tree we planted. I'm darn near full up on shrubs and subshrubs too. I've ripped out several this year to make way for new favorites. :) I can always squeeze in one more dwarf conifer or Rhodie...or heather or Daphne....:)