Yes, hemlocks are known for their shade tolerance. Many trees can do well in the shade but may not bloom as heavily as they would in more sun. Sometimes an area gets more sun than you realize when you take into account filtered sun and winter sun (when deciduous trees lose their leaves).

Other interesting shade tolerant trees: bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla), silverbell (Halesia tetraptera is found naturally in TN), snowbell (Styrax americanus and Styrax grandifolius both found in TN), red buckeye (Aesculus pavia)and of course there are many shrubs that can be considered small trees in the understory.

Yes... I didn't think of that (deciduous trees allow sun in the winter).

I'm new to Tennessee (from central florida), and our trees often stay green all year.

Thanks, so I'll take a look at some Hemlocks, Buckeye, and Magnolia.