I have two that I got inexpensively a couple of years ago. One is on the west side of the house in an old pasture that we keep mowed. It's acid sandy loam that gets full sun from about 10 or 11 AM until about 1/2 hour before sundown. It's blooming this year for the first time. The other is on a steep slope which is also west facing, but has some shade midday, though it is mostly in sun. I've mulched both and the one on the slope gets water if it gets really dry. I haven't checked to see if it's blooming. Both have grown well in these conditions.

Dirr says this about culture: "considered more difficult to grow than C. florida but this is doubtful; fastidious for acid, well-drained soil; . . . requires a relatively sunny location, but still flowers abundantly in light to moderate shade; more drought resistant than C. florida."

Kousa dogwood should do very well in the conditions you describe. If it's not too far away, O'Donal's nursery in Gorham usually has an excellent selection and very knowledgable employees.

Chelone, I love my kousa but I don't think partial shade is best for them in New England. It'll probably be fine, but may not be as gloriously blooming or formed as you may wish.

How about an amelanchier (serviceberry). I've often seen them recommended for exactly this type of use...the transition from lawn to woodland. I think they are lovely. I believe they like acid, moist, near woodland soil.

Patty

There's also the Rutgers hybrid dogwoods.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rutgers Ag Products

I have to agree with Patty.
In my area hundreds of kousas had been planted anywhere from full sun to part shade, and in full sun they are much more larger and floriferous than in a part shade.
For example,
{{gwi:265279}}

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. The arborist is coming today to remove 4 larger trees (a red oak and 2 red maples) and a few white pines that have attained 20+', but are in between the bigger ones. I asked him about Kousa, too. He though it a nice choice, suggesting also Amelanchier and Stewartia. I have lots to think about, obviously.

O'Donal's is about 45 minutes away. And there is another wonderful nursery in Stratham, NH. I am not above squandering some fossil fuel to do a circular cruise of more distant nurseries, either. In the meantime, I have plenty to do with the newly cleared site... goldenrod control and "rounding up" the suckering things that have already been cut back.

If anything springs to mind, by all means add a post. Sometimes we miss the opportunities because we're so focused on one thing... you know?

It began raining steadily early this morning. I figured the arborist would "bag it". UNHUH! and I am simply amazed at the open area behind the house. Funny how trees can really make an area seem more confined than it actually is. I can't wait for a sunny day to be able to study the sun/shade patterns throughout the day (if the sun ever returns for more than a day here and there, lol).

Just as an aside; I have the utmost respect for arborists. The guy we hire loves his profession and is very knowledgeable. Watching him climb tall trees to selectively limb them or to remove them in areas close to plantings or a building is amazing. We walked the property with him several years ago, pointing out the things that we loved, things we weren't sure about, and asking how we ought to go about culling/thinning. He has been wonderful! he counselled us to move slowly, pointing out trees that needed to be "addressed". We established a list of things to be "tended to" and he has liberty to come whenever he pleases; usually late fall/early winter but sometimes when he needs to fill in a "short" day.

I believe our working relationship with a skilled arborist has been one of the most beneficial ones we've established over the years. He has been "money well spent".

It sounds like hydrangeas would do well in that area and would bloom a long time. Oakleaf hydrangea is blooming right now for me in an area that only gets dappled shade all day with no direct sun. Mine is white but there may be a pink cultivar. ??? White is hard to beat in the shade though. It shows up well.
Look for one called 'Endless Summer' that is a newish cultivar of hydrangea macrophylla.
I also love Hydrangea 'Annabelle' with white flowers.
This is a nice link. I haven't ordered from them but it has lots of info on the different hydrangeas.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hydrangeas Come in Many Flavors

hello!

does someone of you have the yellow fruited kousa dogwood?
it's named cornus kousa 'Xanthocarpa'.

greetings , wim in belgium