I have a condominium [townhouse style] with a north facing front area looking onto a grass courtyard with some large trees. Immediately in front of my living room window there is an evergreen type tree - I've planted some hostas, ferns and ladies mantle and added some bergenia last year. This year I'm concentrating on creating my back yard [17 x 17.5 ft] rose/cottage garden so would like to just add some annuals in the front to fill in and avoid the weedy look. I had thought of impatients but wondered if anyone had ideas for some tall flowering plants, etc. The area does get maybe 3 hours of sun each day from the west and east and there is alot of reflected light in the courtyard. There is also an area between front steps and walks that is very weedy and the maintenance man would love it if I could put in some spreading ground covers that would range up to 1 ft. high - I put in a bergenia last year and some lamium and some lily of the valley. Help please

Fern