zone 6 help

I live in Michigan ( zome 6a I think), and I'm planning on re-landscaping our front yard, which faces north. We took out the evergreen-type bushes, and I need suggestions for short trees that like part shade, and plants- from ground cover to flowering- that will thrive with only about 2 hours of sun in the evening! The dirt is kind of sandy, but we are going to add about 4 or 5 inches of topsoil to the entire bed (which is about 50 feet by 5).

Here are a few suggestions doing well in an area shaded by a woodland to the south getting only a little morning sun.

TREES:
Sassafras (volunteers pop up all over!)
Redbud
Styrax
Dogwood (a little spindly)
Some Japanese Maples

SHRUBS:
Calycanthus
Viburnun (several varieties)
Callicarpa
Chamaecyparis
Euonymus fortunei
Hydrangea
Kerria
Pieris
Rhododendron (including Azalea)
Abelia
Daphne
Itea
Leucothoe
Stephanandra

PERENNIALS:
Aruncus
Cimicifuga
Digitalis
Hosta
Lobelia cardinalis
Astilbe
Corydalis
Dicentra (both exima and standard)
Polygonatum
Pulmonaria
Tiarella
Ferns

GROUND COVER (some may be invasive in good soil--mine isnt!):
Ajuga (slow growing)
Asarum
Asperula
Lamium (White Nancy or Beacon Silver)
Vinca Minor
Violets
Pachysandra (variegated ones more interesting, less invasive)
Ivy

There are a few I've probably forgotten, and many more I haven't tried. (Edited to correct spelling!)

This message was edited Jul 31, 2010 8:34 AM

Wow! Thanks for the suggestions! I have hostas, lily of the valley, and violets (coming out my ears!), but haven't tried most of what you suggested. It may be a few weeks before I go buying/planting, but I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

As you can see from DonS's extensive listing, choices are boundless.
If you can think of more specific requirements, like flowers, or screening, or erosion control, fall color,
low maintenance, drought-tolerant, etc,
you could get more specific recommendations from many DGers.