Plants for Dry Shade

Georgia, land of droughts and drenches. The list of plants that like sunny, moist, well drained soils is endless. The availability of those soils is scarce. The harshest reality is is dry shade. Your options are less limited than you think. Here are some ideas. 

Perennials

Ajuga (Bugleweed)

Anemone japonica (Japanese Anemones) like Honorine Jobert, September Charm

Arisaema (Jack in the Pulpits)

Asarum (Wild ginger)

Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant)

Bergenia (Pig Squeak)

Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss)

Campanulas, especially 'Pink Octopus' (Bellflowers)

Carex

Chrysogonum (Green & Gold) esp. cultivar Pierre

Cimicifuga / Actaea (Cohosh)

Cyclamen hederifolium, coum

Cyrtomium falcatum (Japanese Holly Fern)

Dicentra - Bleeding Heart

Epimediums (Barrenwort)

Fatsia japonica 

Ferns (like Japanese Painted Ferns, Autumn Fern, Woodwardias, Dryopteris sp)

Geranium macrorrhizum (Big Leaved Geranium)

Hellebores (Lenten Roses)

Heuchera - Coral Bell

Hosta

Hypericum (St. John's Wort)

Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) 

Podophyllum (Mayapples)

Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal)

Pulmonaria (Lungwort) - especially the spotted ones)

Rohdea japonica (Japanese or Nippon Sacred Lily) - Evergreen

Sisyrinchium (Little Blue Eyed Grass)

Tiarella (Foamflower)

Trillium (Sweet Betsy and others)

Shrubs

Aesculus parviflora. pavia (native buckeyes)

Camellias

Chaenomeles (Quince)

Hydrangea arborescens (like Annabelle and newer hybrids)

Hydrangea macrophylla (Mopheads)

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf hydrangea)

Itea Virginica (Sweetspire)

Kerria japonica

Mahonia japonica -- Sterile kinds like 'Soft Caress' not invasive M. Bealii

Pieris japonica

Sambucus (Elderberry)

Sarcaccocca hookeriana var. humilis (Dwarf Sweet Box) - Evergreen, winter fragrance

Skimmia japonica (need male and female)

Viburnums like Korean Spice