I have a clematis which I planted north facing below our deck. After doing so, I thought I'd made the biggest mistake, but left it there. The area gets sun for one hour at sunrise, and then dappled sun after 3 pm. There is so little sun that moss is covering the ground at the base...
The clematis is Blue Boy renamed Claire De Lune in the last few years due to copyrights or something. The new name is more indicative - HUGE flowers no less than 5 inches across and pure white! When I saw the blooms for the first time last year I couldn't believe it. It is setting it's buds now. I have a Hagley Hybrid in the same spot, so get blooms from Claire De Lune first, and then the Hagley. The Hagley also does very well there.
I am also looking for a Silver Lace vine which apparently does very well in shade. It is a fall bloomer. I've been told it is available at a nursery an hour's drive away where my brother lives, so he's getting a call tonight! Got to pick one up!
But if you find a Claire De Lune - go for it!

I too have a hagley hybrid clematis, mostly shade, gets 3 to 3-1/2 hours of morning sun if that. It does very well. The only thing I find, and I don't know this for a fact, but it seems like it did take a few years to fully fill the trellis and get some width to it as well.

I just feel that had it been in a sunnier spot, it probably would have established itself quicker, but I fully recommend trying it.

Also have a jackmanii which gets maybe 5 hours of sun, does really well.

I am currently trying arctic beauty kiwi in the same shady spot (3 hours sun).

Then, there's always virginia creeper.

glen

Part shade climbers that I have are akebia (chocolate vine) and aconitum hemslyanum (climbing monkshood). The aconitum is new this year so no blooms yet (but it blooms later) and the akebia was eaten to the ground by rabbits, thought it was dead, but its doing great! It blooms earlier so I likley won't see any blooms this year. Both are doing very well, they are mostly shaded with some midday sun. My friend has an akebia that grew very fast and bloomed in May - total shade.

I grow a hydrangea petiolaris on my garage wall, facing south. It is in the shade for most of the day, and since it is under the overhang of the garage roof, rarely gets water, even in our climate! It has beautiful blooms in the spring and the bark is attractive in the winter. It doesn't need a trellis as it attaches itself to the siding, but it is easily pruned/removed. I grow a passion flower through it for summer colour, but in your zone another vine, such as a clematis Hagley Hybrid, might be a better choice. I'm going to try to post a link to a photo of my vine taken this morning - the flowering is finished, but they are still some old flower heads on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Climbing hydrangea

Wow -- thanks for the great suggestions. I will try to find a Hagley Hybrid (saw them for sale last year, but not this year), will look into the climbing hydrangea and kiwi right away. I didn't even know there was a "climbing monkshood" -- that's very exciting!

Thanks so much for the recommendations! :)

I am going to recommend scarlet runner beans. This is the first year I have planted it but I am very amazed.

It grows and flowers both in full sun and half-shade. It grows and blooms quickly and profusely two months after planting. The scarlet red flowers are pretty and attractive to hummers. The blooming season continues until frost. The beans are said to be tasty.

Here is a pic, not a very good one but I will take another pic tomorrow.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I tried scarlet runner beans one year, growing up a downspout on the northeast corner of the house (maybe 2 hours sun).

Because of the shadier spot, the leaves were larger than normal but the plant itself was very lush and very attractive in bloom.

So, I think they do fairly well in shade too. And if they don't, well, they are only an annual so it's not like you are stuck with them in that spot every year.

One year I tried morning glory in that same spot, but not a good idea. I guess they don't tolerate shade, or at least not that much shade. They had nice lush foliage (but larger than normal leaves) but barely bloomed. Then again, for whatever reason, morning glories aren't one of the flowers that does well for me. Maybe they struggle in our clay soils.

Hi Stella,
www.clematis.com.pl/wms/wmsg.php/321.html&plant_number=223 is a great site! I did a quick search requesting blue or purple flowering clematis for shade and it came up with the following;

Frau Mikiko
Louise Rowe
Negritianka
Perle D'azur
Teshio

Hope this helps,
RosieBee

Scarlet runner beans never occurred to me! I wonder whether I can still find seeds this late in the season...

And RosieBee, thanks so much for the link -- that is a fantastic resource. I have bookmarked it! :)

I am just re-posting the pics of my sarlet runner beans. It's super easy to grow and flower. I got my seeds from the SuperStore.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Sunflowerpoet, gorgeous picture! Where is the "Superstore"?

Hmmm, not sure if SuperStore exists in your area. The seeds are from McKenzie Seeds. I will post the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: McKenzieseeds.com

Lol, stella, just realize you are in Toronto, too. SuperStores are all over Toronto. There is one at Eglinton/Don Mill, and another one is Lawrence/Allan Road. Check the phone book. :)

I have Silverlace Vine and suggest you think twice before purchasing...LOL! It is an extremely vigorous grower...mine gets morning sun only and in two years, has completely covered an arbour...I'm now trimming it every other day to keep it in check. In the right spot...I'm sure it would be wonderful; it flowers off and on all summer and has a wonderful scent. Just know what you are getting.

Tiffy...it was Blue Moon that was renamed Claire de Lune. I have Blue Boy and it does well for me in part shade.

http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=91