I have a number of ground covers that will not need the soil worked up to flourish, and cover quickly in dry shade-

*Symphytum grandiflorum- ground cover comfrey, spreads fast, flowers in spring, keeps other weeds out. I like it in a orchard under fruit trees, doesn't let grass grow.
*Geranium macrorrhizum- 6-9" tall, spreads fast, pink flowers.
*Vinca major- gets 1-3' tall, very hard to remove, makes a very attractive shiny-leaved ground cover, very invasive, but seems to not like sun so forms a circle around the tree. Blooms in spring.
*Vinca minor- 1-3" tall, flowers in spring, some very nice variegated forms, not as invasive or fast to spread as V. major, needs weeding some as it is low and other things can seed in.
*Epimedium spp- tough, leathery leaves, not so fast to get established, blooms in spring, choice look, can get 1-3' tall.