I have a spot in one of my back flowerbeds that just will NOT cooperate! It's at the point where I have lava rocks covering it. It's in full shade (the water oak is across the pathway) and constantly wet due to the fact that we have no gutters and the rain just falls off of the roof behind it. I'm thinking maybe La. irises, but don't they need some sun? I have azaleas and hostas planted near this portion. The hostas make a miserable showing (due to lack of even dappled shade) and the azaleas, while they look ok, they do not bloom. Help! Any perennial recommendations would be appreciated. (Just no more mondo or liriope!)

Cast Iron plant will grow in your deep shade.

I wonder if Hidden Lily would make it in total shade. It has grown very well in a really narrow spot between the house and 6 foot fence about 6 feet wide. The light is very minimal. Boy, the flowers are fabulously pretty. They can be somewhat invasive though. Mine are in some very loose soil and, I can easily dig them and give some away when they get too thick. Last fall I thinned them back severely.

Calla can take lots of shade and still bloom. Total shade???

Have you ever considered having your oak pruned just a little, to let in some light? Just take out a few branches from the canopy. I'm sure you already know how just a little light gives you infinitely more choices.

Ligularia - late summer bloom
Astilbe - late spring bloom
Anemone - early fall bloom
Solomon's seal - early spring bloom
Acorus - no bloom that I know of
Southern wood fern - no bloom
Chelone lyonii - early fall bloom

There are some other plants that do well in constantly damp shade, but none I like very much.