Bananas aren't the only plants with nice tropical looking foliage.
Gingers compete well with tree roots for me, and they have nice big, tropical looking leaves. They'll also bloom fine with not so much sun. I recall from earlier in this thread, you already have some Butterfly gingers? There are lots with beautiful textured foliage, too. This is Zingiber collinsii - I nicknamed it my 'corduroy ginger'.
I also grow a lot of Heliconias in the shade, and they are great, spread themselves, keep their foliage through winter for me, and bloom from May through December. They come in several different sizes, so you can get something that will fit in the space you have. I have little orange ones that are only 20in. tall, Lobster Claws that get 8ft. tall, and these are my favorite, about 3ft. tall with red/cream blooms. Heliconia 'Lady Di'
This is Brazilian Red Cloak, blooms almost year 'round for me, and has big 18in. leaves when not blooming. YOu can see it's between an oak tree and a big palm here in mostly shade. Great plant, easy to grow.
