Ideas for shade-tolerant colour?

The first thing that springs to mind is Heucheras.

You can get purple, purpley-pink, green, green and various and amber coloured leaves that would look great there.

They'd 'shine' out in that shadey area.
In my shadey areas i use the amber coloured ones specifically 'Creme Brulee' and 'Caramel', the reverse side of their leaves are a subtle pink shade and when the breeze moves them you get the amber front and the pinkish back - lovely :)

The lime green ones would also 'sing out' from a shadey area nicely too, the amber ones are 'warmer' in my opinion :)

Ligularia, digitalis (foxgloves) and aquilegia work for me

i dont know about your situation but you ever tried getting some big mirrors .yagh varnashing the backs and putting them round the edge.its just a different idea that mite get more light into your shady bit and some more choice of planting.it also increases the size your garden looks

Mirrors ..... good thought Nosey.

thanx louise and you could hide the edges with planting or the opposit and show them off

any variegated hosta for late spring and the variegated Brunnera 'jack frost'.
I have a lot of shade so if you want have a look at my plant list. the only none shady bits are front trianglular bed, and front walled border.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions I will bear them in mind :-)

your welcome