What are the best perennials for a shady garden?

Ajuga and foamflower are good options! Also certain types of geraniums 🌹

Hostas are fabulous!

I use the website High Country Gardens to figure out what I need. If I can't find the plants locally, I order from them. They're a bit expensive but their plants are guaranteed to thrive and I've been very pleased with the results - both with the plants and that they aren't eaten! You can also use planters to control the soil and keep the underground critters from messing with your plants.

I've heard of ajuga but not foamflower -- interesting name. Will have to look that one up. Deer like hostas unfortunately, at least mine do! And also unfortunately it is hard to keep the moles out; we're surrounded by woods -- last year i put some 'mole-b-gone' stuff out on the lawn and the next day half my plants were upended! I also find that I tend to forget to water any planters I have outside, I finally gave up and have a pot full of artficial ones on my porch. But I will persist in finding a solution -- now watch, as soon as I do, my husband will finally decide we can move!

thanks all!

I'm sure you have heard about Irish Spring soap but just in case you haven't... Hang a bar of Irish Spring soap near the plants that you don't want eaten. Apparently deer don't like the smell. I have to admit I'm not wild about it either. Anyway, it worked for me in Indiana when I lived in deer infested woods.

Azaleas love acidic soil. Hostas, painted ferns, astilbe are great for lots of texture and color. Try plopping garlic cloves in the mole tunnels. They don't like it and go elsewhere. They moles/voles will love that you've dug up the ground to put in new plants.