How about one of the native deciduous azaleas? The evergreen Rhododendron Cadis also is reputed to be sun tolerant. Mine looks good under similar conditions as you described, but is too small to bloom. Here is a link that might be useful: ARS description of Cadis

Flower buds for spring bloom are formed in the summer and early fall. If this area is in really dense shade, bloom will be significantly reduced. Direct sun in the winter is pretty hard on rhododendrons and azaleas as well. Winter sun, especially when combined with low temperatures and wind, can and does do serious damage, especially to evergreen azaleas. It might be worth trying one or two azaleas in this area to see how they do - protection from winter sun and wind with burlap or other type of screen will help a great deal - but I certainly wouldn't commit to an entire hedge without a trial planting.

Hoovb, thank you for your suggestion. I completely forgot I asked this question, and found it while searching again. :-/ Here's a photo of the area, taken May 2011. The blank slate I want to design is about 9x9', in the corner between the tree trunks. The roses in the foreground are separated by several feet. A compost pile had been there for a few years so the soil has a nice top layer of compost. I'm considering a few possibilities: - One large Hybrid Musk rose (Darlow's Enigma - I've grown it before in a smaller spot and had to give it away - it loved the shade. - Flagstones surrounded by smaller plants, leading to a bench in the corner. This corner is not highly visible from the patio or house, but it is the view from our bedroom window and we'd like it to look nice.

Choose something appropriate for your area that you find desirable. Note these are edibles for the most part. There should be plenty of non-edibles tolerant or even thriving with only partial shade. Of course some things may go dormant for winter...or even summer. I think I would try the alpine, musk and lipstick strawberries. Or plant a pecan tree to get the area overhead shade (dappled) in the summer that I could then plant under.. SHADE TOLERANT Partial Shade May have less fruit. Alpine Strawberry Bamboo (some types) Dogwood Elderberry Evergreen & Red Huckleberry Filbert Gooseberry Hydrangea Jasmine Lipstick Strawberry Lingonberry Magnolia Vines Musk Strawberry Paw Paw Pie Cherry Salmonberry Serviceberry Sugar Maple Thimbleberry Full Shade Bamboo (in sunny climates) Currants Carolina Allspice Evergreen Huck. Flowering Currant Wasabi Highbush Cranberry Here is a link that might be useful: List from Raintree Nursery