How about amelanchier, a/k/a serviceberry, shadblow, juneberry, etc.?

It's a North American native, grows to about 20' in height. Delicate white flowers in early spring, before the leaves appear, attractive to early pollinators. Summer berries that are edible but very attractive to many songbirds if you're willing to share. Wonderful fall color ranging from yellow through orange to red. Some are more a tree form, but usually I've seen that multi-stemmed, shrubby look. It's an understory tree, so works well in filtered sunlight, but will also tolerate full sun. Though it is usually found growing in moist sites in the wild, it is listed as having "medium" water needs.

Nice tree but it doesn't fit my zone. It is hardy to zone 7 and I am in zone 8.

As you can see by the link, Amelanchier arborea is naturally found throughout Alabama.

Here is a link that might be useful: Amelanchier arborea distribution map

Thanks eshga,
I looked on a site that sold them and they gave it the wrong zone I guess. I will put this one on my list when I go to the nursery.

Any other suggestions?

Are you at the stage of trying to learn the growing conditions for different shrubs, or trying to figure out what "form" (shape, height) would look best at the corner? Because, for instance, crape myrtles, which are available in all sizes now so you can pick one that won't dwarf your home, are great for your zone but would not be for a corner described as "shade", but would be okay with say, 6-8 hrs of sun and then filtered shade.

If you post a photo, the design principles of "foundation" planting for your house would stand out more--things like shape, height, a "mass" effect or more lacy, how far from corner to plant, whether tall is good or bad, balancing door, windows or garage, etc.

The shrub and tree forums would also have suggestions just for types of shrubs that fit various growing conditions. And you could be asking yourself, do you want evergreen foliage (such as a large camellia, tall holly), flowers, fall color, what?

If it's hardy to zone 7, shouldn't zone 8 be more than safe?

It said it was for zone 2 - 7. It was referring to being able to handle the heat in Alabama not freezing weather.

I have since seen it listed for this area. Sometimes the nursuries get the zones wrong.

Depends on what you want. I happen to LOVE Amelanchier, but it is no way as showy with the flower display of the crepe/crape? myrtle. On the other hand, Amelanchier looks great in the fall and has cool berries that attract birds, so maybe a little more "3 season" interest. In my experience, the best thing to do when trying to decide about plant selection is to think about the plant and how it will perform all year around, so take into account not only it's showy features but its winter silhouette, form, maintenance, etc.

I love both Amelanchier and Crape Myrtle. The myrtle has a long, showy bloom season but is ho hum the rest of the time. Amelanchier is nice most of the time, nothing spectacular at any particular time, but nice overall. To me the virbirnum are a total bore in the winter and when not in bloom or berry, but nice when in bloom and again in fall with foliage and berries. So it depends on how this plant will fit in with whatever else is going on in your garden.