I, as well as my neighbors, have a detached garage with an alley entrance. There is a sidewalk that goes down the side of the garage with about 3-4 feet of space between that sidewalk and the neighbor's garage.

I'm seeking suggestions for this area. We have a large tree, so the area does not get a lot of sun. I'm trying to keep this project cheap (under $100 if possible).

I was thinking of just putting down rock or wood chips with some sort of small shrubs.

I appreciate any help!

hostas and ivy may do well in that environment.

I have a some moist dark areas in my yard so I did a search on plants that work well in that environment in the midwest.

this is what I found out. I think I got it from a Purdue website.

ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris),
Rodgersia podophylla
Carex siderosticha 'Variegata'
'Sum and Substance' hosta
purple shiso (Perilla frutescens 'Atropurpurea')
Japanese primroses (Primula japonica)
golden meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria 'Aurea')
Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket'.
sweet flag (Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus').
Acorus gramineus 'Oborozuki'
Iris pseudacorus.
checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris),
quamash (Camassia leichtlinii),
summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum)
American turkscap lily (Lilium superbum)
Canna 'Pretoria',
Colocasia 'Black Magic',
Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris'.