Here is another picture. They had tiny little white flowers underneath but now those are all gone

Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum multiflorum, I think.

The other is a violet, I think.

Yes: Solomon's Seal and a violet.

Solomon's Seal is a woodland wildflower which many grow for its beauty. They are happy in shade (I don't know how happy they are in sun, as mine are all growing in deep shade). Mine spread faster than I'd expected, but that isn't a problem yet, and would never cause me to get rid of them all.

The violets could be Viola sororia, aka the Common Blue Violet -- or another similar wild or cultivated Viola. Here, they are happy in shade, happy in sun, happy in the lawn, happy anywhere. In shade, they will grow taller stems. They tolerate dry conditions well once the roots are well-established, and in drought conditions will lose leaves but survive. Yes: they will seed and come up everywhere.

Wow thanks! You guys are amazing!

if those are violets.. they are hyper fert'd ... dont you think.. crikey they are huge ...

ken

The Solomon's Seal will stay to shady areas and so will the violets for the most part. You don't have to worry about them taking over your whole place. In fact, I love both and have added them to my shade and woodland gardens.

I'm not sure what you are intending to plant in that area but given what is growing there, shade plants are the answer. Finding ones that do well next to a foundation, even tougher. You may wish to leave some of the plants to fill back in since they are infinitely better to look at than bare dirt and measly looking weeds.

FataMorgana