Calling all gardeners!

We have a small triangular plot in our north-facing front yard (which yard is located in southern Wisconsin).  This wee patch of earth is just begging for some lovely plants to planted in it.  DH and I are new at the gardening in our own garden thing, and we could use some ideas.  The patch is quite shaded, being in the corner between the high deck which serves as our front porch and the front part of the house.  The only sun it gets (if any) is a brief bit in the early morning, because the morning sun is mostly blocked by the neighboring house; the rest of the day, our house and the porch block the light rather thoroughly.  I don't know if it ever had anything in it from the previous occupants of the house, though they seem to have prepared it somewhat for possible use.

Here's what it looks like -- a pic taken with my trusty cell phone, at about 11:30 am CST:



So, my gardening friends, do you have any suggestions of what you would put in such a plot?  We are thinking of something perennial.  Hopefully we aren't thinking of this too late in the year to have a planting be useful, but I don't think so.  It is just starting to warm up around here in Wisconsin, so spring is not really quite underway.  We have a few bulbs coming up, but we are still awaiting signs of new leaves on the trees. 

Post your suggestions here, and I'll share them with the DH and then off we'll go to the nursery to see what we can find!

Thanks, my dears!