It should be okay, especially along a north wall. I have a pittosporum that I planted when it was still HOT and I planted it in direct sun on the south side. I kept it watered a bunch. Mine isnt varigated but I did notice the edge of some of the leafs that were facing the wind/sun/hot had white tips when it was the hottest point. Now it is all green again.

Hmm. Here in Phoenix, they tend to sunburn badly whenever they get direct sun from noon to 4:30 pm. If the wall is tall enough to keep that from happening, they'll take the heat itself just fine. If the wall is too short, or the plants will be too far away from it, you may be better off with variegated Natal plum--if you can find it--or 'Raspberry Ice' bougainvillea. Non-variegated things that will work in winter shade and summer sun are orange jessamine or yaupon holly.
Hope this helps. : )

Well mine is not exactly "thriving" either. I havent noticed any new growth on it since planting. I only planted it towards the begining of September when it was still super HOT, but in the last 2-3 weeks it was coooling off outside and now -of course- we have freezing cold weather setting in. So maybe it wasnt out there long enough in the heat to do any real damage. There is a doctor's office in town that has a 6' huge plant kept trimmed under an eave on the north side and yesterday I noticed small ones planted in full sun at my new bank with lots of new foilage on them. Of course those "could" be freshly planted from the landscaper.....