Hi Sheri, glad you came over to the forum. You have a great area to fill and it'll be exciting chosing plants to fill it in with. I like to mix shrubs and perennials. My very favorite shrub is hydrangea. For perennials, I like Hosta, Astilbe, Cimicifuga, Brunnera, Ferns and Foxglove, Solomon's Seal and of course Heuchera. Astilbe are heavy feeders and you have to be patient with Cimicifuga - they take a few years to establish really well. I love Cimicifuga's foliage mixed with Hosta and Brunnera though! Even some Astible have the dark foliage. In the sunny areas you could even use the dark colored heuchera.
I'm sorry I can't comment on starting from seed, I really don't have any experience with it. Best of luck with your decisions. Let us know what you come up with.
Cheryl
