Do you want something that is a groundcover? If so Epimedium, lily of the valley or Pachysandra would work nicely. They require moisture the first year to get established then fend for themselves after that. Is there any sunshine in the spring (no tree leaves blocking light?) That would give many more options, like spring bulbs. Good dry shade perennials are Hellebore, Solomons seal and Lilyturf (green) . I'm still trying to figure out this part of my yard myself! Good luck,

Jen

Don't forget the ferns. Snakeroot, mayapple are other possibilities.

Geranium macrorrhizum, and some of the new Heucheras, Tiarella, Christmas ferns, Euphorbias, Eupatorium rugosum.

Asarum canadense, Canadian wild ginger, takes dry shade very well and is pretty much maintenence free, no deadheading required.

If it's totally unaccessible, I'd put in Bishop's weed or pachysandra. Both will grow just about anywhere and require no maintenance.

Hmmmm.....only one or two species of euphorbias are very well adapted to shade and to get the best performance from hellebores they need some sun as well. Contrary to popular belief, hellebores are not shade lovers but merely shade tolerant and only modestly so.

The groundcovers mentioned are good choices, but in your zone, I'd also recommend dwarf Himalayan sweet box, Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis. And excellent, slowly colonizing and spreading small evergreen with very glossy foliage and enticingly fragrant late winter flowers. It is extremely tolerant of dry shade.

gravel?