For a shade area I would suggest Painted Ferns, Forest Grass, Astilbe ,Hellebore, Heuchera, Tiarella,Turtleheads and a variegated Hosta. This would give different Textures and foliage colors and some flowering from Spring till Fall. How these plants will do in zone 8 I do not know, they are rated for it but that does not always work out.