Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' or Itea virginica.

Good call, Ken. Itea's hardiness limit is z5, so very likely marginal in your area, given recent winters. But the clethra is good to z3.

Clethra needs something I don't have - like acidic soil. Itea has been a bit more obliging since it hasn't died. It just sits there and does practically nothing.

Dwarf fothergilla isn't a bad plant here. It grows, blooms and doesn't mind the lime. Tree peonies are another shrub that might do well in a somewhat sheltered spot.

Of course the suitability of any of these plants depends on WHERE YOU ARE.

Go to Your Houzz in upper right of every page, click Edit Profile, and on the left side click advanced settings. Well down the advanced settings page is a blank labeled Climate Zone for Garden Forums along with a link to find your zone.

If you add info on your state or the nearest large city you will get even better information since zone only relates to average coldest winter temperatures.

Then return to the top of the page and click Done Editing.

Good call, Ken. Itea's hardiness limit is z5, so very likely marginal in your area, given recent winters.

==>>> you know why i know that ... because i dont have one.. and have never seem it in any local gardens ...

ken