If you want color??
There are lots of cool threadleaf maples, but I think nasturtiums are great for shade and containers. Non stop flowers, but some clean up maintenance

Gosh, in your area I can think of lots of things that are good for shade in containers: Pee Wee Hydrangea, Nicotiana, Impatiens, Colueus (both upright and trailing), many Begonias (but with our humidity down here, you'll need to be careful of variety), Heuchera, Heucherella, hardy Elephant Ear, and that old favorite standby: Caladium (but even in NOLA you'll have to winter these over or store the tubers).

Hope you can use some of these suggestions, and congratulations on your house!

You might be interested in a 6-page article in current Garden Ideas magazine (spring 08). Shows how to combine shrubs and small trees in containers. Uses the shrubs/trees to create sculpture-like effects. Includes evergreen varieties, what grows where, how to select contrasting shapes and colors, etc. Very unique looks with relatively inexpensive, commonly available plants. This may be something of interest.

Hostas can be grown in containers. There are some fantastic small varieties. Check them out.