Hard to look out at all the snow and slush and general winter rattiness and remember that there are indeed foliage plants lurking under there. I spent the first ten years of my gardening life growing things exclusively in deep, urban shade, so I still think a lot about foliage when I plant. For my sunny spots, for foliage mostly or exclusively, I've got: Salvia argentea. It's been highly perennial for me so far, for five or six years. My soil is pretty sandy. I've been loosely alternating the plants with little blue festucas. They look nice together. Lysimachia 'Alexander.' Not at all thuggish in my garden, but not super-exciting to me either. Variegated winter cress. This just keeps seeding itself around. Very cute. Geranium renardii. Felty greyish-green leaves with good substance. Doesn't always even bloom for me, but it's pretty when it does. Montauk daisy. I like it as foliage even when not in bloom. Arabis. A nice greyish edger plant out of bloom, and one of the first things to bloom for me every spring--and it blooms long and generously. Lysimachia nummelaria aurea--golden creeping jenny. OK,so it's aggressive, but it's really pretty in the spring beneath the purple weeping beech, and it transitions beautifully to a hot patch of dianthus. Macleaya cordata--plume poppy. I sure don't grow it for its flowers or its polite habit, and every year I ponder ripping it out once and for all, but its leaves are just so great, and it does offer a little privacy screen in the summer. Not that I'd recommend it to anyone. Chocolate Joe Pye--also seeds itself around. I'm not nuts for the flowers, though I welcome them all the same. Lychnis coronari/rose campion. I like the grey rosettes even without the fantastic hot pink or white flowers. A couple of cerastiums (love that silver) and dark-leaved sedums. I have one bed that I'm always on the lookout for great silver plants. And I second diggingthedirt's high opinion of asparagus. I think I'd like a hedge of it. Rosa glauca. Flowers are single, small, pink and scentless, but the foliage is great. Tough as nails, very hardy. It also has been seeding around a bit for me, which is nice.

Yeah we have had a lot of rain lately! It does perk up when it's drier. Probably will look better if I pinch it back more than I did first thing early spring. I'll try more cutting back next spring and see how it goes. You know, right when new growth starts, and maybe try something to boost the blooms. Thanks all echinaceamaniac, it is supposed to be in full sun for best color but can take some shade, maybe part sun. I bought it at Dutch Gardens, which I wouldn't buy from again just because they sold me a virused rose. Those particular plants I haven't had a problem with though. I saw that Joy Creek has them for $6.50! And that's a great place to buy from I hear.

Thank you all so much for your detailed replies! Sorry it took me a bit to get back to everyone. gardengal48~I am indeed in CA--East Bay, with a desert-like micro climate but since we have in-ground sprinklers to keep the yard green, the spot I'm looking at stays pretty moist (since there's no sun to evaporate moisture). The spot is between the front yard and house, and is about 10-15ft wide by 4-6ft deep (I haven't measured yet, and don't think this would be considered "large"). I've looked up a few of the plants that have been suggested, and I like the idea of a low growing ground cover like the vinca minor, but want to avoid anything that is invasive and requires more than minor maintenance. I think what I'll do is make a list of what I like from the suggestions, and take it to a nursery to see what they offer for this area, and see if there is something I can plant in the next few months. I think it's good to have a list to go off of instead of walking in there and having to go with what they suggest (done that, didn't like the results).

New this year: Campanula Pearl White and Bliss Blue-- disappointing. They started to bloom and then petered out mid summer. Maybe chipmunks or voles though, I'll have to see if they come back at all Georgia Peach heuchera-- nice and can't wait to see the colorations in spring Bertie Ferris daylily--bought 2 more because I have one and they are blooming machines and are gorgeous and petite. :) Rising Sun Coreopsis--bloom machine, but now it's starting to look ugly-legged. Next year will be nice though. May Night Salvia (bought 4 of them)-- wow! Bigger than I expected and bloomed all summer. Geum Fireball--growing well but I won't see any blooms I guess till next year :( Olive Bailey Langdon, Great Expectations, and Frances Williams hostas--Doing their thing, but can't wait to see how they do next year. OBL, hopefully will make it through winter, because it's been in a wine barrel planter, which isn't moving anywhere anytime soon lol Dream Blue daylilies (2)-- bloomed about two weeks after I planted them and looked great right away. Can't wait to see them next year. Pretty Jessica rose (Austin rose)--looks good, disease free for me, blooms well for first season in a pot. Will be going in shed over winter. Twister mini roses (3)-- two did great but one just started out balling all over the place. Ugly rose, though, and I gave them to a coworker whom thinks their gorgeous lol! Sleeping Beauty mini roses (2)--Blooming machines, still going on now! I haven't noticed any fragrance yet though. Did excellent for me. Just another note: I planted Tiki Torch echinacea 2 years ago and never saw a bloom. This year it has amazed me with tons of blooms all summer long!