I would not recommend Goats Beard for dry shade. I've just removed a patch because it never thrives without consistently moist soil. The Ostrich fern should be fine, if it is browning now at the end of the season, it will come back well in the spring. Also, ferns are slow to get established. Don't give up on them too quickly. Blue Lobelia does pretty well in dri-ish shade and Polygonatum variegatum (Solomon's Seal)does beautifully.

Here is a link that might be useful: gardenphile.net

After some research, I came to the same conclusion. There's not much light there, so most flowering plants are not going to flower. I was thinking of getting something tall enough to be visible to fill in that space. I suppose once can add a statue or something, but that looks kinda of tacky. I wonder how big the osterich fern will grow if I can keep that area well stocked with compost.

I thought of Polygonatum variegatum, too, but I recall it doesn't like alkaline soil (7.5) and is slow growing.

Paul

It's not so much the lack of light, but the fact that a Silver Maple will suck the life (water and nutrients) out of the soil. Polygonatum variegatum does well in my low 7s pH soil and should be fine for you as should the ferns (in time).

tj