I would think a fern would do well in that spot, although I just acquired my first Lady ferns yesterday and they are still in their pots so I can't speak from much experience. I imagine others will chime in. Also check out Ghost fern, which is a cross between Lady and Japanese Painted ferns. Another plant that comes to mind that likes damp shade is Aruncus dioicus(Goat's Beard), although it might overwhelm the area you have pictured. How big is that tree supposed to get and what kind of soil do you have?

Thanks for the suggestions. It's an Autumn Brilliance serviceberry, so probably around 20ft, give or take. I have hard clay soil, but that particular bed is amended fairly well.

Cinnamon ferns will grow to be HUGE (I have some that are taller than 4' and equally wide), but you can pull them or move them when they get that big. The thing is they'll spread, and they like a lot of room.

I have Lady in Red and it's very, very pretty. Seems well-behaved. I also like Interrupted Fern, which has come back for me year after year for a decade but has only put out three babies (compared to cinnamon fern, which puts out dozens each year). It's taller but it's not aggressive. It also doesn't mind being squeezed around the bottom by bushy perennials-- I had them growing up between huge hostas and they were fine.

My ghost and painted ferns are pretty, but so far they're pretty low. More like a ground cover. Autumn ferns are a little taller, not as tall as Lady in Red (at least in my yard), but also very pretty.

Woodwardia fimbriata?

Magpiepix has given you some good advice on ferns. You might want to look into a long-blooming Hydrangea macrophylla such as Twist and Shout.

What I'm about to say may sound too direct, but I hate to see you buy anything else for that border before you think about a couple of things. That corner is tiny! Anything short of a 6 pack of pansies will outgrow it in a season. Twist and Shout could grow to 4 x6. Serviceberry will get at least 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide and suckers as it gets older. The grass will soon be under the serviceberry, competing for water, getting shaded by it and looking messy .Or the serviceberry will come up in the grass. So if you are going to keep the serviceberry, you need to enlarge its planting spot x 4 and replant it much further from the fence. please google a picture of a mature serviceberry. The same goes for T & S, but T *S will have other problems there.

I'd suggest pulling out the existing border to to 4-5 feet deep. You will have to widen it if you plant nearly anything and certainly for any shrub....easier now because you have room to work and digging won't interfere with the roots of the younger smaller plant.

What is your plan for in front of the fence? Fence upkeep is difficult with shrubs in front, but my eye wants to follow the curved existing border around the fence.. you could plant perennials (leave at least 3 feet behind for fence maintenance)

Is this corner in full sun? If so, there's another discussion to be had about hydrangea macrophyllas in full sun, even the newest reblooming ones. The answer: compact paniculatas or compact oak leaved hydrangeas. But even these need more room provided in the current situation.

I know you didn't ask for all these objections and suggestions but you do need to re-think the basics before putting any more plants there.

Marie, who has made every mistake mentioned here x 10 because I've been gardening for 35 years.

I often think I just getting better at making new mistakes while I'm rectifying the old ones.

I appreciate the input, Marie. I'm still relatively new when it comes to gardening, and I've definitely made mistakes and know there are still many to come. Unfortunately the yard is pretty small. I took a risk with the serviceberry knowing it might be too big for the spot. I have a little room to extend the bed out, but not much before it hits the gate.

The fence definitely needs a powerwash and seal. I was actually trying to figure out how to do that recently without destroying the plants (while everything is dormant would be best, I'm guessing). It's a townhouse, so the fence on either side is shared.

The corner is sun from 11-2 (where the tree does not shade), roughly. I actually had another dwarf shrub planted next to the hydrangea paniculata on the end, but realized quickly it was too crowded, so I removed it. So I see what you are saying.

Here is another more aerial view of the area. I have 2 things in containers, so at least I can move them easily in the future if needed.

You are welcome. I see why you stopped the border and didn't bring it left. What's on the other side of the gate and if it is a "service" entrance why no path? Where is it coming from and where does it go? Maybe it doesn't snow where you are but a gate leading to grass=gate leading to mud path if it rains a week. .

And is a neighbor on the other side of the fence on (our) right?

If you don't use the gate and (non) path I'm still inclined to enlarge the bed. I'm sorry, but the service berry will have to move someday when you or the next owner gets tired of pruning it back!

I feel I want to see the rest of the yard before more plans are made, unless this is will be the only bed. Seeing how eager and conscientious you are I have a feeling you'll be putting in more. I understand needing to get your hands in the dirt and making some lovely mark on your new home. However, it would be much to your advantage to look at the yard as a whole before purchasing more shrubs or trees....they are expensive.

Have you googled "tiny gardens/yards" or small townhouse back yards to see if there's one that inspires you?

Good Luck

Marie