Although it would prefer partial, rather than full shade, Pieris japonica 'Variegata' is pretty slow and compact. And azaleas and box don't want to be planted in a cave, either. If those have a good appearance in that spot then it can't be too dark. Speaking of box, Buxus sempervirens 'Latifolia Maculata' is another topnotch variegated shrub.

Kids would have to chow down on the pieris to be affected. Do you have any rhododendrons? Those are poisonous, too.

Variegated Eleutherococcus sieboldiana

I wouldn't be overly concerned about poisonous plants and kids, unless they have very appealing berries - more plants than not exhibit varying degrees of toxicity and one would have a pretty sparce garden if you eliminated them all. And there is nothing on a pieris that would particularly entice kids to chomp on it. I have seen P.j. 'Variegata' grow to considerable size (15') - 'Flaming Silver' would be my choice for a more compact and colorful addition, as it features the bright coral new growth of many of the other pieris cultivars. May hit as much as 6 feet but not in any big hurry.

Lonicera nitida 'Lemon Beauty' retains its color well in shade - far better than Baggesen's Gold. A nice deciduous possibility is Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey'. Hardy fuchsias should do well for you in zone 7 - F. magellanica 'Aurea' or 'Sharpitor Aurea' can really brighten up a shady location.

I'd like to see that 15' P. japonica 'Variegata'. Some we had here, planted in the '60s, grew about 4"/year, until run into by a car. Got to maybe 5' tall.

It's in Magnolia, about 3 blocks up the east side slope from the town center - don't remember the cross streets, but a corner planting and very visible. A number of older, large specimens dotted through the gardens of the Olympic View neighborhood as well (at least those that have missed the ministrations of the rounded ball pruners so popular in that area). Although slow growing, it certainly has the potential to reach an impressive size.

Thanks for all the suggestions! 'Little Honey' was tops on my list, and it may be a winner. Hydrangeas do wonderfully here.

Pieris 'Flaming Silver' I saw at the nursery last week, looking fantastic. For some reason I was under the impression it had poisonous berries, or needed constant moisture, or suckered... something that wouldn't work in this garden. I'll give it a fresh look. I'll think about the fuschias, too.

Thanks for the suggestions --

Julia

Slightly unexpected that 'Flaming Silver' would be a small shrub, as it's a sport from vigorous 'Forest Flame'. Plants in nurseries look like they are growing faster than P. japonica forms.

The old 'Variegata' that I had here is now called 'White Rim'. 'Variegata' is properly one with less white in the leaf. It would be more apt if the names were the other way around.

Aucuba japonica cultivars sound like a good choice.

by chance would that hydrangea require more water than you would want to pamper something with?

i have a similar problem. the north side of the house, aprox. 10' from the neighbors house. doesn't seem worth it to plant anything. their side gets sun from south exposure, but i don't think anything will grow, and it is compacted from the garage addition.

Kerria japonica 'picta' very delicate, variegated foliage. might want to mass a few, ligter yellow flowers than sp. kerria.

just for fun, look at rhodotypus. Sorry, green leaves, but it has two weeks of really pretty white flowers in spring and is very tough. Not a substitute for what your looking for, but an interesting idea.

Fallopia. Here in zone 5 not too agressive. However, check it out for your zone. Wonderful white/green spashed foliage, nice airy habit, beautiful , I think, late sumer fall flowers.

Got color underneath? That's a whole other plane to brighten up, and loads of groundcovers that sparkle.

Sambucus nigra Variegata. I have one on the north side of my house, shaded from the west by a giant conifer that lets zero light through so it gets at best a little morning sun, but that too is somewhat blocked. It even blooms in this location. Not much, but it does.

I would second the Kerria as a nice shrub for shady areas. I would recommend the frilly, double flowers rather than the single layered varieties. Just much prettier. Our Kerria's bloom intermittently all season and the bright yellow flowers really show well. The bright green is very colorful, both in plain leaf or varigated. I would also use a couple plants to fill in if space is large, they don't get huge.

Variegated Aucuba japonica sounds about right.

I third the suggestion for Aucuba. Great shrub for lighting up dark shady areas, pretty much trouble free.

Soeur

Have you looked at some of the variegated types of Daphne? Most of them love shade I believe. I don't have personal experience with it but have friends who have it in their shady landscapes & it is quite beautiful as well as fragrant. There are varieties (I believe one is Carol Mackie) with gold-edged or cream-edged leaves.

I too would recommend Variegated Eleutherococcus sieboldiana. Really brightens up a shady area. Tough - withstands drought as well.

I was going to recommend Kerria Japonica 'Picta' as well. I just got one this year for a nearly full shade area (2-3 hours morning sun) and I love it. I think it would be just as pretty in full shade. And it suckers so it should fill out a good size fairly quickly. I couldn't believe I had so many suckers first year. Could be due to soil amendments I added.

Another hydrangea possibility is H. Paniculata 'Limelight'. The leaves are bright lime green. whiteish flowers, June to now.

For an evergreen, try Chamaecyperis 'Gold Mop'. I moved my gold mop from sun to shade and I much prefer the more subdued chartreuse color in shade than the gold in sun.

A perennial that thinks it is a shrub, is Caryopteris 'Snow Fairy'. I had mine in sun and it was so bright white, it was distracting (well, I might be exaggerating a tad...). I moved it to shade and it is just perfect!

I also have a small Jap Maple in my shade border to add some color. I plan to add some puple coral bells later to complement the JM.

Here is a page for the best full shade shrub:

http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/shade-shrubs.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Best Full Shade Shrub (Bush)

Has anyone suggested osmanthus 'goshiki'? It's not exactly a light green, but it's so variegated that it might fit the bill.