One of the miniature ivies.

Yes, that's about the only I could think of. Perhaps a variegated one to add a little light to a shady spot.
Thanks.

I underplanted a hosta in a half-barrel in a shady area on the north side of my house with creeping jenny - lysimachia nummularia - and it is doing well, not looking sparse and all stretched out. There is a variegated form, but the nursery person said that, given the shade, the plant would most likely lose the variegation. Dunno whether that would also be the case with variegated ivy.

I like the yellow creeping Jenny and given that it is in boxes it won't become invasive. I've planted the boxes with painted fern, heuchera, artisimia and little pansies and so far it looks quite pretty. I haven't been able to find the variegated ivy so am starting some in the house. Given our deer problem though, I'm having to spray it with Bobex continuously. Plastic plants are starting to look good...