I live in Chicago, zone 5, and we like to use Annabelle hydrangea in the shade. It flops and the flowers are smaller, but who cares! Clethra, Itea, Aronia, Ribes, Azalea, Rhododendron and Fothergilla come to mind. I also like the big leaf hydrangeas. They can be tricky to grow. Yews work, too, although everyone hates them. My favorite is Taxus cuspidata 'Monlo' or Emerald Spreader Yew. It is low-growing and has a lovely texture. It is worth looking for!
