Dry shady area - what to plant?

[whojamaflip]

I've spent today clearing a bed which was full of couch grass and ground elder and now I need to work out what to plant there.

It's shaded by a beautiful copper hazel and all that is left is some lady's mantle and a very sad looking daphne which I think I'm going to need to move. Space wise it's 4 ft deep by about 6ft long, soil is on the alkaline side and is reasonably good and well draining but very shaded.

So far I've come up with Brunnera but that's it! Would like some light coloured flowers if possible to lift the area. Can take some of the branches off the hazel but not too many as it will ruin the shape of the hazel.

Any ideas wise gardening folks?

Hosta and ferns

Epimedium do very well in this area. Low growing and won’t speed too far.

Vinca minor
Ajuga (eg Catlin's Giant)
Japanese anemones
Wood anemones
Thalictrum
Grasses
Acer? (maybe too alkaline)
hydrangea?
Geraniums especially phaeum but many varieties will be happy in shade

Loads of bulbs

Tiarella

Ooh lots of ideas to look into 😊 thank you all

Any woodland type plants would be happy, including primula, bluebells, and anemones.

Cyclamen coum/hederifolium Flowers in winter and early spring, and some have leaves marbled with silver.