As you might expect, most shrubs will not do well if they don’t get enough sun. But some shrubs actually grow better in shade than in full sun. Just what you need for that shady northern side of the house or the gloomy side yard thickly canopied by larger trees. Here is just a sampling:
Among the deciduous shrubs, we have:
Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
Flowering dogwood (C. florida)
Hydrangeas
Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)

Among the evergreens:
Andromeda (Pieris species)
Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
Azaleas
Camellias
Hollies (Ilex species)
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Rhododendrons