Hmmmmm.

I'm not sure if the trees or shrubs you mentioned would be that great of an idea since it's mostly shade. Look around your area and see what shurbs or trees are doing well in a shaded areas.

I don't know if you will be planting them in the ground or in a container, but go with the container because then you could add accent plants or cascading plants to give you color and textures that a plain green shrub in shade may not provide.

You also don't have to use a shrub. Look around you and see what other alternative plants you can use and what creative means you can accomplish the same look with. A good sized "shrub" that has been shaped will cost you a pretty penny, but you could easily use a vine you can start from seed that grows faster. You could get/make a frame (like table top topiary but larger size) and train it to grow on the frame, and if it doesn't last long because of the light conditions you could replace it or try another vine that deals better with shade.

thanks ramon. any suggestions for a structured formal look? yip they will be in planters.

Well if you want a structural and formal look the only thing I could recommend then would be boxwood or juniper off of the top of my head.