I am in zone 6, but my best shade tolerant evergreen is hardy in zone 5. It is blue princess holly. It is easily kept within bounds and tolerates deep shade without getting sparse.

Is the shade bright shade with reflected light from windows or a light-colored wall? If not, it is less a matter of growing than if it will get too leggy or have at best sparse bloom. I've tried a couple of kinds of evergreen rhodies in a large amount of shade, and none have bloomed.

In contrast, Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is much better at blooming with low light. It is evergreen and had no damage after -23 here a couple of winters ago.

WHERE ARE YOU ?!?!?!?!?

It really, really matters as to whether this is going to be a hunt for certain varieties, or a total no-go from the beginning.

If you are going to be a regular poster here, take the time to add your location to your ID. Otherwise, you'll be wasting a lot of time restating it over and over.

Patti, is your soil acidic?

What is your soil texture like - clay, sandy, good loam?

Both these will influence what does well for you; Rhodies and Kalmia both like acidic soil with a loamy texture with good organic content - good drainage is important.

The soil in that garden is pretty good, as I add compost, peat and good garden soil into it each year, with mulch on top. Drainage is good in that garden also. Everything I plant in that garden does exceptionally well, but I plant things that require minimum sunlight (north facing). This is the only spot that gets no sun though.

Is the shade bright shade with reflected light from windows or a light-colored wall? Shade varies in quality, so if it is shaded not only by the house but also by nearby buildings or overhanging trees, it will be much darker that if it is bright, open shade. The Kalmia/mountain laurel will do fine in shade regardless IME, but the rhodies need bright shade at the very least. As long as the soil drains well and is acidic, members of the Heath family (Ericaceae) should be fine, but the acidity is important. Do you see either rhodies or Mt. Laurels in your area?

I guess it's a bright shade. Just shaded by the house, but no sun ever hits that spot. Yes I see both of those in the garden centres around me. I guess I'll just have to take a chance with something and see. I don't want anything too big, width wise, just something taller needed in that spot. And I like something everygreen.

I generally find mountain laurels to be narrower than most rhodies in my garden.

Oh really? That's good to know. They look really nice. I'm not really stuck on getting a Rhododendron for that spot. I just want something upright and evergreen that will tolerate full/bright shade. Any other suggestions are welcome.

its tricky.. but her name says toronto ...

what has grown there previously ... a good indication of light ..

defining SHADE is near impossible in words .. as noted.. it can be grotto dark.. or very bright ... when it all boils down.. no one can tell you what will work in a given spot.. in your yard ... you just have to experiment ... until you find what works ... an also as noted.. you might need to be persistent .... if you insist on a specific plant ... which might lead one to not putting all your eggs in one basket.. and trying a number of different type plants ... rather than a monoculture. ...

lack of light.. will rarely kill a plant .. other than grotto dark ... but it can affect vigor ... which would translate into either it being leggy or not full .... or in the case of flowering plants.. reduced flowering .. in other words ... it might not end up being like the pix you see.. of well sited plants ...

good luck

ken

ps: btw.. a lot of plants that favor shade .. or are tolerant of shade... it can be more of a water issue ... in other words.. they prefer a respite from direct sun .. in the heat of the day.. if they can not pump enough water regarding such ...

What grew (or not grew) in that spot previously were some boxwoods that the previous owner had in there. The boxwoods close to that "dark spot" were really brown. The others which got some sun were ok, but we took everything out and are starting from scratch. On year three of rebuilding the front garden there.

There are a very limited number of broadleaved evergreen plants hardy to your zone that will do well in heavy shade. Most blooming plants will require some degree of sunlight to bloom well, even shade lovers. I'd look at a needled evergreen if the shade is full.......a yew will grow in very heavy shade.

Is yours a Canadian zone 5? If so, that translates to a USDA zone 4 which limits you even more..........

Ken - her name now says Toronto, but previously didn't.