I'd love to know this too. Also, have you thought of Lily of the Valley? Supposedly they're great little shade flowering plants but maybe it's not cold enough in Socal to give it chill hours? Anyone know this?

I would like to plant them underneath my privet privacy hedge.

I have tried it a few times. It lasts about two months here in Simi Valley. Lily of the Valley- I got one in a pot once, but it never came up again.

But if you can grow hostas, they might grow for you. Have you tried hellebores? I can grow them here and they do very well. Not very colorful, though. Pacific Coast Irises would probably do well for you in the shade, and they are very colorful. Matilija Nursery hybridizes and sells them.
Renee

Here is a link that might be useful: Matilija Nursery

Lily of the valley doesn't work here. I tried planting it two years in a row and it never comes up. I have been growing hostas for the last couple of years and they are doing really good, so you would think that I could grow astilbe or lily of the valley. Same thing goes with bleeding hearts, but they never come back. I do grow hellebores, this is my 2nd year with them and they do fine as well. I will think about the pacific irises as well. Thanks

Hostas, Astilbes, and Lily of the Valley are the last things I would try to grow in SoCal. There are so many better choices and far more interesting ones at that.

I haven't even been able to grow them here where we get fairly cool summers at 5000 ft. elevation. I think they need quite a bit of sun without drying out. I am going to try one more time in a pot where I get the most sun.

I'm south of you in Oceanside and i can't grow them here,i've tried them at least 3 times with no luck.
kathi