Phlox jeanna

Hosta, hellebores, and ostrich ferns for shade.

Hostas are the easiest

Day lilly and Iris

I love my pink cone flowers, echinachea.

My hostas are actually difficult because of deer and slugs. This year I’m wrapping copper mesh around them and will try to remember the Deer Off spray religiously, but normally the hostas are eaten by something! Must be tasty.

How about some ferns or hellebores?

Peonies are nice but they only bloom for a hot second and then later in the summer they’ll look a mess while the foliage dies back. Op doesn’t sound like a big gardener. Hostas are a great choice. They look good and they’re impossible to kill.

Some tulips are more perennial here than others. The big red Darwin’s last a long time.

My tulips will come back a few times, but gradually fade away over 2-4 years. I try to plant a few new ones each year to keep them fresh, but I don't have to plant all new.

Otherwise, I agree with peonies.

Bleeding hearts

You have to plant tulips every year? Not mine!

Peonies

Sedum are nice
https://www.bluestoneperennials.com/SEAF

Hostas are nice for shade, and they fill in an area nicely over time.

What is your favorite perennial in the shade or partial sun? I am lazy person, so I don't want to do annuals which I have to re-plant them every year. And, I was shocked to find out that tulips is not perennial because I see many neighbors have them planted in the front yard.